President John Dramani Mahama has pledged that the children of the eight officers and personnel who perished in the August 2025 military helicopter crash will be cared for and supported throughout their lives.
Speaking at the state funeral at the Black Star Square in Accra on Friday, the President said the nation’s duty extended beyond mourning to ensuring that the bereaved families especially the children were not left behind.
“What we can do together as a nation,” he declared, “is make sure that the lives of those who remain, specifically the children of our eight brothers, do not become the collateral damage of this tragedy… Let us also leave our comrades today with a promise that their children will not be alone, and that they’ve got us, and we’ll always be there to share.”
President Mahama announced the creation of the Children’s Support Fund for the Victims of the St. August Helicopter Crash, which will provide education from primary school through tertiary or technical training, healthcare including medical insurance, and welfare support such as shelter, clothing, and essential living expenses.
Stanbic Bank has already made an initial contribution of GH₵500,000, with government set to make an immediate payment. The President promised that the fund would be sustained for the long term, with annual public reporting, and opened to contributions from citizens, corporate bodies, and international partners.
Drawing on Ghana’s tradition of collective responsibility, he likened the initiative to the compassion once shown by the late Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who paid for surgery for a physically disabled nine-year-old boy named Seto and even wrote him a poem to ease his fears. The President quoted the poem’s message—“You’re not alone. You’ve got me… always there to share”—as the spirit that would guide the fund.
In addition to the support fund, the President announced posthumous promotions for three of the military victims: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala to Wing Commander, Flying Officer Manin Twum Ampadu to Flight Lieutenant, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah to Flight Sergeant. He noted that these were not mere symbolic gestures, but marks of respect that would also reflect in benefits to their families.
He also confirmed that the civilian victims would be honoured at the next National Honours Ceremony.
Expressing gratitude to the Ghana Armed Forces, emergency services, religious and traditional leaders, and the international community for their solidarity, President Mahama prayed for healing and unity in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“You will always be in our hearts. You will always be remembered. May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong,” he said.
