President John Dramani Mahama has fulfilled the government’s pledge to support the families of those who lost their lives in the August 5, 2025 military helicopter crash by presenting compensation packages and launching a GH¢1 million trust fund for each child of the deceased.

At a solemn ceremony held at the Jubilee House on Thursday, the President presented compensation packages totalling GH¢1.87 million to the dependants of four civilian officials. Compensation for the military personnel who died in the crash is being processed separately in accordance with the Ghana Armed Forces Regulations.

The event was attended by Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Senior Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Dr Valerie Sawyerr, who coordinated the Children’s Support Fund initiative, as well as relatives of the seven victims and other senior government officials.

Compensation package

President Mahama disclosed that the compensation awarded to the families of the civilian officials was approved by the High Court on July 6, 2025, under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1963 (Act 174).

He announced that all affected families had been enrolled onto the Premier Plan of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the highest level of healthcare coverage under the scheme.

“Every affected family has been enrolled onto the Premier Plan of the National Health Insurance, the scheme’s highest level of healthcare coverage,” the President said.

According to him, the package provides annual healthcare coverage worth GH¢3 million for all dependants and grants them access to 942 accredited healthcare facilities across the country. Beneficiary families were also presented with identification cards to facilitate access to healthcare services.

The President further announced that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had secured scholarships for all eligible school-going children of the deceased for the 2025/2026 academic year and beyond.

GH¢1 million trust fund for each child

As part of what he described as the nation’s enduring commitment to its fallen heroes, President Mahama announced the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund, with professionally managed trust accounts at Stanbic Bank.

“Government has deposited GH¢1 million each into these trust accounts,” he said, adding that the funds would be professionally managed to safeguard the beneficiaries’ future.

He explained that separate fixed deposit accounts had also been created for the five adult children of Dr Samuel Sarpong and the eldest daughter of Alhaji Muniru Limuna, with GH¢1 million deposited into each account.

National support

President Mahama praised the overwhelming public response to the government’s appeal for support following the tragedy.

He revealed that between August and October 2025, the Children’s Support Fund received GH¢10.16 million and US$20,000 in donations from corporate organisations, public institutions and private individuals. The government subsequently contributed an additional GH¢8.46 million to strengthen the fund.

The President acknowledged the contributions of numerous corporate organisations, financial institutions, public agencies and individual donors whose support made the initiative possible.

Transparency and accountability

President Mahama assured the families and the public that the management of the fund had been guided by transparency and accountability.

He said all government contributions had been placed under the management of professional fund managers, while the entire process had been independently audited by the former Auditor-General to ensure compliance with proper governance standards.

Each family also received a legacy box containing a Children’s Support Fund certificate, commemorative medallions and a personal letter from the President addressed to every child.

“Those letters remind them that although their fathers are no longer physically present, their courage, patriotism and service remain an enduring source of inspiration,” he said.

Government honours its pledge

Addressing the bereaved families, President Mahama acknowledged that no amount of financial assistance could compensate for the loss of their loved ones but assured them of the nation’s continued support.

“But I hope today’s ceremony reassures you that your nation, Ghana, the nation that they served, remains grateful, remembers their sacrifice, and will continue to stand in solidarity with you.

“At the state funeral on August 15, 2025, I assured you that you would not walk this difficult journey alone. Today, we honour that pledge,” he said.

The President also expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations that contributed to the Children’s Support Fund.

“Your generosity reflects the very best of our national values. Many of you may never meet these children, yet you chose to invest in their future because you recognised that their loss was Ghana’s loss,” he added.