President John Dramani Mahama has announced the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund to ensure that the children of the eight individuals who perished in the August 6, 2025 Ghana Air Force helicopter crash are not left behind.
Addressing mourners at the state funeral in Accra, President Mahama emphasised that these families must not become “collateral damage” of this tragedy.
The fund, initially seeded with GH₵500,000 from Stanbic Bank will provide comprehensive support, including educational expenses from primary through tertiary levels, healthcare coverage (including medical insurance and specialised care) and essential living support such as clothing, shelter and welfare provisions.
The government will finalise and publish a detailed framework within 30 days and ensure annual, transparent public reporting.
Further contributions will be welcomed from citizens, corporations, professional bodies and international partners.
In a solemn tribute to the fallen servicemen, President Mahama also announced post-humous military promotions:
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala was elevated to Wing Commander; Flying Officer Manean Twum Ampadu to Flight Lieutenant and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah to Flight Sergeant.
These promotions, the President described as “the highest mark of respect for duty performed, even unto death” will come with corresponding benefits for the bereaved families.
The Chief of Defence Staff will oversee the ceremonial presentation of rank insignias. President Mahama extended special recognition to the civilian victims and former colleagues, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, declaring they will be honoured at the next National Honours Ceremony.
Drawing on Ghana’s tradition of communal compassion, the President recounted the touching example of Dr. Omane Boamah, who not only funded surgery for a physically disabled boy named Setor, but also penned an uplifting poem to reassure him that “you’re not alone.”
With this spirit, the Fund aims to send the same message to the bereaved children: “you’ve got us, always there to share.”
He expressed heartfelt thanks to the Ghana Armed Forces, emergency responders, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, the diplomatic community and international Heads of State for their solidarity during this national tragedy.
In her tribute, the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang reflected that the occasion should not have been one for mourning, but for the usual national engagements and the exchange of ideas, some contentious, yet all aimed at shaping the country’s progress.
The Vice-President also noted that the nation was gradually coming to terms with the reality that outcomes of collective efforts often emerge from meetings where plans are made, schedules drawn, tasks executed and evaluated, and responsibilities shared whether willingly accepted or assigned.
To provide comfort and hope of eternal rest, passages were read from both the Holy Bible (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) and the Holy Quran (Surah Fussilat 41:30–33), offering reassurance to the bereaved families, friends, and the entire nation.
Amidst profound sorrow and unwavering national unity, Ghana concluded the state funeral of the eight distinguished and dedicated public servants and military officers who perished in the tragic August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.
Under the sombre sky, the state pre-burial and interfaith burial service at the Independence Square became a powerful testament to the lives, service and ultimate sacrifice of the fallen patriots.
The ceremony, steeped in solemnity, and attended by the highest echelons of Ghanaian leadership and thousands of grieving citizens, honoured the men whom President John Dramani Mahama described as having “led from the front” with “courage, integrity and an inspiring devotion to Ghana”.
Beyond the different religious faiths of the eight fallen patriots, the presence of the National Chief Imam and prominent Christian clergy gave full expression to a nation united by common grief.
Quranic recitations and poignant tributes from the institutions they served including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security Council Secretariat, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Ministries of Defence and Environment, Science and Technology, filled the morning air with reverence.
A palpable sense of national loss deepened as Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah; the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and President Mahama arrived in succession.
Also in attendance were former presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Vice-President of Liberia, Jeremiah Koung and members of the diplomatic community.
Burial service
The Director-General of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode opened the service, setting a tone of shared grief and shared faith.
The haunting melodies of hymns like “Hark! Hark, My Soul!” (CHB 305) and “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” (MHB 428), alongside Islamic recitations and a patriotic song by the Tema Youth Choir created a tapestry of national and spiritual mourning.
The heart-wrenching biographies delivered by family representatives painted intimate portraits of the men beyond their public roles, revealing fathers, husbands, sons and brothers deeply loved.
Tributes flowed, raw with emotion particularly from the widows and children, their words a stark reminder of the personal devastation behind the national tragedy.
In his sermon, Brig. Gen. Kumi-Woode emphasised the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, urging the nation to find strength and purpose in the example of the deceased. His sermon, titled “The Last Post”, he said, should comfort Ghanaians.
Following Islamic (Du’a) and Christian prayers of commendation and benediction, the poignant strains of the final hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (CHB 259), filled the square.
Among the victims buried on Friday were the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; NDC Vice-Chairman and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and NADMO Deputy Coordinator, Samuel Aboagye.
The other victims, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, were earlier interred at the same Military Cemetery in Accra last Sunday.
