Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Consoles Families of Helicopter Crash Victims

The visits came just days after the state funeral held last Friday, where the fallen officials and dignitaries were accorded full national honours.

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Tuesday led a high-powered government delegation to pay courtesy calls on the families of five victims of the 6 August military helicopter crash, in a show of solidarity and compassion following the recent national tragedy.

The visits came just days after the state funeral held last Friday, where the fallen officials and dignitaries were accorded full national honours. The government’s latest gesture was aimed at offering comfort, listening to the needs of the bereaved families, and reaffirming its commitment to support the widows, children, and dependents left behind.

Government’s Assurances of Support

During her private interactions with each family, the Vice President—who is serving as Acting President in the absence of President John Dramani Mahama on official duties in Japan—reiterated government’s pledge to continue standing by the families.

“Your pain is the nation’s pain. Government will work closely with you to address your welfare concerns, especially the education and well-being of the children and the support needed by the widows,” she assured.

Her words were intended not only as expressions of sympathy but also as a commitment to practical and sustainable support systems.

Families of the Victims Visited

The Vice President and her delegation visited the homes of:

• Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)

• Samuel Aboagye – Deputy Director General, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)

• Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna – Deputy National Security Coordinator (Human Security)

• Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah – Former Minister of Defence

• Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology

Each visit was conducted in private, allowing family members to voice their concerns and receive direct assurances from the government leadership.

Delegation Accompanying the Vice President

The Vice President was accompanied by a number of high-ranking government officials and party representatives, including:

• Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff

• Dr Valarie Sawyerr, Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs

• Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President

• Seth Terkper, Economic Advisor to the President

• Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Finance & Administration)

• Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC

• Hajia Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson

The presence of this diverse team was meant to underline the government’s seriousness in ensuring that the families’ needs are comprehensively addressed, both at the official and personal levels.

Expressions of Gratitude

The families, though still deeply grieving, welcomed the Vice President’s visit as a sign of national unity and compassion. A spokesperson for the Limuna family expressed appreciation on their behalf:

“These visits have comforted us and given us strength in this difficult time. The outpouring of national support has been overwhelming, and we are grateful to government and the people of Ghana.”

National Significance of the Gesture

The tragic helicopter crash on 6 August, which claimed the lives of prominent officials, has been described as one of the most painful moments in Ghana’s recent history. The government’s follow-up visits to the bereaved families highlight the state’s responsibility not only to honour the deceased but also to ensure that their loved ones are not left behind in hardship.

For many observers, the courtesy calls demonstrate the administration’s broader commitment to the values of compassion, accountability, and solidarity in times of national grief. They also serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by public servants in the course of their duties, reinforcing the importance of collective national support in the aftermath of tragedy.