Helicopter Crash: Adequate compensation must be paid to bereaved families – Mike Oquaye

Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, has urged the government to ensure that appropriate compensations are paid to the families of the eight persons who perished in the recent military helicopter crash.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Volunteers Show on Sunday, August 10, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Prof Oquaye emphasised that the victims were on national duty when the tragedy occurred, and therefore deserved due consideration.

“On compensation, I know people are mindful of the fact that they (affected families) will be given compensations in a timely manner. Because after all, they were on a national service, in a national carrier which was involved in an accident. So, appropriate compensations must be paid,” he said.

He urged that the process be conducted in a decent and non-contentious manner.

“Normally, you wouldn’t want this to be contentious but very decent. We all know very well what has happened to the people. So, you contact them and make an offer which is reasonable. It must be an offer that can accommodate their needs substantially, and then you settle them,” he added.

Two of the victims, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator were buried on August 10.

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that forensic reports for all eight victims, whose bodies were badly charred, have been received after DNA samples were analysed in South Africa.

Those who perished include Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed.

The crew members were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

A state funeral will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.

AS/VPO

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