President John Dramani Mahama has posthumously promoted three (3) Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) men, who tragically lost their lives alongside five others while on national assignment to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The president, in a speech during the final funeral and pre-burial ceremony for the eight (8), said the move is to hour the memories of the gallant men for what he called their “service and sacrifice to the nation.”
Reflecting on life and it challenges especially in times like this, the President called on Ghanaians to embrace his government’s decision to honour the gallant men during this painful time.
He listed the service men as Squadron Leader Peter Befami Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
“So it is with all these in mind that I will like today to announce the government’s decisions to honour the service of these individuals and secure the futures of those left behind. I humbly request the spirit of compassion that is the hallmark of our nation for these bereaved family. Promotions in our Armed Forces are never given lightly and posthumous promotions are the highest for duty performed even until death.
Accordingly, I have approved the following: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala is promoted to the rank of Wing Commander, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu is promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Sargent Ernest Addo Mensah is promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant”, he announced.
The president, who could not understand the devastating deaths of the eight noted that no amount of investigations or explanations can make sense of what has befallen the country.
He therefore called for peace and unity knowing how “fragile life can be”. Adding that, what can be done at the moment is to ensure that the children of the deceased some of whom are babies and toddlers are secured.
“There is no making sense of what happened despite whatever technical reasons or official explanations or investigations will heal the loss of this magnitude and in this manner will never make sense to the grieving hearts.
What we can do each of us in our own way with this tragic loss is to move in the direction of peace within our communities and families having been reminded of how fragile life can be.
Also, we can embrace the vision we share with our fallen brothers for a stronger and more prosperous homeland. What we can do together as a nation, is make sure the lives of those who remain specifically the children of our eight brothers do not become the collateral damage of this tragedy. Grieve can sometimes leave us feeling helpless and disempowered but we are far from that”.
President Mahama described the crash as a national tragedy that has “cast its shadow over the heart of Ghana.”
At the packed Black Star Square, the president in a sober mood said the decision to promote the officers was not a mere gesture but something they rightly earned indicating the benefit therein will be given to the families left behind.
“These are not just symbolic gestures, they represent the rightful place these officers earned in our republic role of honour and the benefits due to their families will be reflected in these new ranks.
The Chief of the Defense Staff will oversee the ceremonial presentation of the new posthumous promotions to their families.
The remaining 5, who are civilians, he indicated will also be recognized at the next state honours.
“Our other colleagues who were civilians will be posthumously recognized at the next National Honours ceremony”.
The president also announced the creation of a fund—Children’s Support Fund— for the children of the deceased that will cater for them from basic all the way to tertiary.
He revealed that Stanbic Bank has provided an initial seed capital of GHC500, 000 to kick start the initiative indicating further particulars will be provided for the public to contribute.
He pledged that the fund would be sustained through annual public reporting and would include channels for contributions from the public and international partners.
Commending Stanbic Bank for its support, the President gave some of the details sayting:
“The Fund for the children of the victims of the August 6, as has officially been named, will cover education from primary through to university or technical training, healthcare including medical insurance, specialised care where required, and welfare support, clothing, shelter, and special living expenses.
I wish to thank Stanbic, which has opened an account with an initial contribution of GHC500, 000. The government will make an immediate seed contribution to this Fund. And will operationalise and publish a detailed framework of the Children’s Support Fund within the next 30 days.”
The eight national heroes, were on their way to Obuasi on Wednesday August 6, to attend the launch of the Responsible Community and Cooperative Mining Programme, when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in a forest near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
The individuals who died in the accident aside from the aforementioned officers were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 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.
.By Gifty Boateng