Miracles calls for formalized aid for families of helicopter crash victims

Aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has called for long-term, institutionalised support for the families of those who died in the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, August 13, he stressed the need for a deliberate system to ensure that the children and spouses of the victims receive sustained care, regardless of changes in political leadership.

“What is crucial is that the children and the wives should at least be catered for. Even friends can mobilise to do that, but what is important is that they must be intentional. That is always the problem, once it is not intentional, everybody thinks somebody else will do it,” he said.

He suggested that the state should commit to supporting the education and welfare of the victims’ children for an extended period.

“For example, the one-month-old baby at least should be institutionalised so that the education and well-being are on the state for the next 25 or 30 years, or until university. It won’t cost much compared to all the expenditures we have in the country. It should be institutionalised whether there is a change of government or not, so we can have the assurance that they have a stable life,” he added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish an Education Fund to support the children of the victims. Speaking during the third-day funeral rites (Adua) of Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed on Tuesday, August 12, the President said the fund would be formally launched during the state funeral scheduled for Friday, August 15.

The initiative comes in the wake of the helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District, which claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.

Also killed in the accident were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

On Sunday, August 10, Ghanaians gathered to pay their final respects to Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Muniru Mohammed, ahead of the state funeral where the Education Fund will be officially unveiled.