President John Dramani Mahama has announced the establishment of a Children’s Support Fund to provide long-term care, security, and opportunities for the children left behind by the victims of the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
The announcement was made on Friday, August 15, 2025, during the interdenominational state funeral for the eight individuals who perished in the tragedy.
“The next decision that the government has taken is for the creation of a Children’s Support Fund for the children of the victims of the August 6 helicopter crash.
“The purpose of this Fund is to ensure that the children left behind will not be deprived of the opportunities, the care, and the security that their parents so worked hard to provide for them.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The establishment of the Fund is a direct fulfillment of a pledge the President made during the funeral rites of the late Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, held three days earlier.
In a gesture that underscores the collaborative spirit behind the initiative, the President acknowledged Stanbic Bank for taking the first step by opening an account with an initial contribution of GHC500,000 for the families of the victims.
The government, he announced, will immediately make its own seed contribution and will, within the next 30 days, publish a detailed operational framework for the Fund.
Long-Term Sustainability
The President further assured the public that the Children’s Support Fund will be designed for long-term sustainability. His office, he said, will guarantee annual public reporting on how the Fund is used to promote transparency and accountability.
To strengthen it, contributions will be welcomed from citizens, corporate organisations, professional associations, and Ghana’s international partners.
“I pray that this funeral will bring closure to a grieving nation and that the new dawn will break in which we can look forward with pride as Ghanaians to a prosperous nation. We pray that this will be the beginning as the Almighty God heals our land.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The August 6, 2025, helicopter crash sent shockwaves across Ghana. The Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter was travelling to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Community and Cooperative Mining Programme when it went down at Adansi Akrofuom. All eight people on board were killed, among them prominent government officials, political figures, and military personnel.
The civilian victims were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
The three military crew members who lost their lives were Squadron Leader Peter Obafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The state funeral at the Black Star Square was both a moment of national mourning and a rallying point for unity.
The announcement of the Support Fund added a forward-looking dimension to the day’s proceedings, aiming not only to honour the memory of those who died but also to provide tangible assistance to those most affected by their absence.
It was a reminder that national solidarity must extend beyond ceremonial events to sustained acts of care. President Mahama’s remarks reflected this balance between grief and responsibility.
While acknowledging the deep sorrow felt across the country, he framed the Fund as a means of turning collective loss into a foundation for hope. His assurance of transparency and public engagement in the management of the Fund was aimed at ensuring public trust in the initiative’s purpose.
The promise of the Children’s Support Fund stood as one of the legacies of the crash—a pledge that the nation will not forget the children who must now navigate life without their parents.
With its combination of government backing, private sector involvement, and public participation, the Fund is positioned to become a model of how Ghana can respond to tragedy with enduring compassion.
READ ALSO: Mali Junta Confirms Coup Plot, Arrests Top Generals
