By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, August 11, GNA – Management and staff of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) joined scores of dignitaries and institutions to honour the memories of the eight helicopter crash victims in Accra.
Led by its Director General, Mr Kwesi Afreh Biney, the team, on Friday evening, laid flowers at the Jubilee House ceremonial garden and paid tribute to the departed souls.
Mr Biney, after the brief ceremony, emphasised the extent of the tragic loss and the importance of celebrating the fallen national heroes.
He reflected on his personal relationship with the late Dr Omane Boamah, whom he described as a “strategist” and affable person.
“I had finished a meeting at the Jubilee House and was driving to the SSNIT Head office when word got to me and I was in complete shock. For a moment I wish it was just a dream but the reality is what it is,” he said.
“A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for…We represent the workers of Ghana and we felt that we should come together to celebrate these gallant heroes who died in the line of duty.”
Mr Biney said SSNIT would follow due processes in fulfilling its obligation to any of the deceased or their beneficiaries listed on the national insurance scheme.
“SSNIT is not only for pensions…when unfortunate situations like this happen, the relatives who have been nominated by the deceased get to benefit, even people who have been injured in the line of duty can automatically qualify for our pension Scheme,” he noted.
Condolences and tributes have been pouring in for the government officials who lost their lives in the helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
They included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The rest are Mr Samuel Aboagye, former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The team and crew were attending an anti-illegal mining event, known as the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), in Obuasi.
A state funeral has been scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Flags have been flying at half-mast following the incident, which occurred in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe