Miracles Aboagye Urges State to Institutionalise Support for Families of Military Helicopter Crash Victims
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for a permanent, institutionalised system to care for the families of those who perished in the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, August 13, Mr. Aboagye said Ghana must go beyond temporary expressions of sympathy and establish a deliberate framework that guarantees sustained support for the children and spouses of the victimsregardless of political transitions.
“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,” he noted.
“Once it is not intentional, everybody assumes someone else will do it—and that’s where the problem begins.”
Mr. Aboagye proposed that the state formally commit to covering the education and welfare of the victims’ children for decades to come. Citing the case of an infant who lost a parent in the crash, he urged that such commitments be codified into policy.
“For example, the one-month-old baby should be covered so that their education and well-being are on the state for the next 25 or 30 years, or until they complete university,” he said.
“It won’t cost much compared to the many expenditures we have in this country. It should be institutionalised whether there is a change of government or not, so we can be sure they have a stable life.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that an Education Fund will be set up to support the children of the crash victims. Speaking during the third-day funeral rites (Adua) for Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed on Tuesday, August 12, the President said the fund would be officially launched during the state funeral on Friday, August 15.
The move follows the tragic accident in the Adansi Akrofuom District, which claimed the lives of prominent political and military figures, including:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation
- Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
- Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
On Sunday, August 10, mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Muniru Mohammed, ahead of Friday’s state funeral where the Education Fund will be formally unveiled. The tragedy has sparked a broader national conversation about how Ghana cares for the dependents of public servants who lose their lives in the line of duty.
