Helicopter crash: President unveils support fund Friday - Dependants of 8 patriots to benefit
President John Dramani Mahama will announce a programme for creating a fund to assist with the education of the children of eight patriots who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, this year.
He said the fund would also allow persons who want to contribute to the education of their children to do so.
President Mahama said this at the final funeral rites, known as the Third Day Adua, in Accra, in honour of the late acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, who was one of the eight persons who lost their lives in the crash.
The President explained that the details of the programme would be unveiled during Friday’s state funeral for the fallen compatriots.
Similar prayers, which mark the final Islamic funeral rites, were offered in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, in honour of the late Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST).
Political leaders, traditional rulers and the public stood side by side, putting aside all differences to pray for the late MP for Tamale Central and the Deputy National Security Coordinator.
Responsibilities
President Mahama said it was a difficult calamity that had befallen the country because all those who died were in the prime of their lives, with so much responsibility.
Their children were still in school, with some having children as young as two months old.
“These responsibilities are what we have to take up to make sure that the absence of their parents does not affect the innocent children,” the President stated.
Devout Muslim
He said Alhaji Limuna, a devout Muslim who would answer his calls at any time except when he was praying, did not like to travel by air.
On that fateful day, the Deputy National Security Coordinator in Charge of Human Security, who was appointed barely two weeks before his death, was virtually on his first assignment and was expected to travel by road.
However, due to the late relay of information, he had to travel by air, and the helicopter was the only option available to get him to the destination in time.
“We have no questions for God, but to accept what he has done.
What we have to do is to work even harder to preserve their memories, because all of them were key champions of the reset agenda that we are pursuing as a government,” President Mahama said.
Therefore, he insisted that the reset agenda must be successful in their memories so that their death would not be in vain.
Third Day Adua
Adua is a form of supplication, a direct communication between a Muslim and Allah (God).
It is a way for Muslim faithful to express humility, acknowledge dependence on Allah, and ask for guidance, help, forgiveness, or any personal need. It can be made at any time, in any place, and in any language.
Alhaji Limuna and Dr Murtala Muhammed were buried at the Military Cemetery in Accra last Sunday in accordance with Islamic custom.
The others who also lost their lives in the helicopter crash included the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Sarpong and the Deputy Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and a former Parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East in the 2024 election, Samuel Aboagye.
The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot, Flying Officer Manaem Twum Ampadu, the co-pilot, and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah, a member of the crew.
Eulogy
Clad in all-black attire, President Mahama eulogised the late Alhaji Limuna, describing him as a brother and a friend who was virtually his personal assistant.
The President said beyond official work, the late Deputy National Security Coordinator was like his brother, who handled many of his private assignments and was always ready to sacrifice for him each day he needed him.
“Alhaji was ready to answer my calls anytime, even at 1 a.m.
The only time he would not answer my calls was when he was praying,” the President said solemnly.
Hundreds of mourners, including family members of Alhaji Limuna, government officials, leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as some Dagomba chiefs, were at the short ceremony to commiserate with the family.
There was no weeping nor wailing, but the atmosphere was solemn, with intermittent Qu’ran recitations.
Chief Imam
The Chief Imam, Alhaji Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, described the two Muslims who perished as “men of virtue” whose impact on humanity was divine.
He compared their lives on earth to a building which needed only painting to make it complete.
The Chief Imam, who led prayers for the souls of the departed, expressed the hope that they would be received by Allah into paradise.
Praying in Arabic, the Chief Imam asked for forgiveness for their souls and that of their families and called for Allah’s protection for each one of them.
Tamale Central
The final Islamic funeral rites for Dr Murtala Muhammed also drew hundreds of mourners and sympathisers from across the country.
Among the dignitaries at the funeral rites were the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu; and the Northern Regional Minister, Adolf Ali John.
Others were a former Minister of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam; Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and a Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini.
The solemn occasion was a moment of reflection, prayer and celebration of the life of the late statesman.
From the early hours of the morning, the family residence of the late minister at Changli, a suburb of Tamale, and the surrounding streets were filled with relatives, political allies, friends and residents who had come to pay their last respects.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief, but also filled with a deep sense of honour for the legacy Dr Murtala Muhammed left behind.
It was also filled with the recitation of Qur’anic verses, as clerics led prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed.
Honour
In brief remarks, Mr Asiedu Nketiah described the late MEST Minister as “a fantastic all-round intellectual in both letters and religion” whom the party was proud to have.
He urged party members to remain calm and desist from rushing to choose his successor, as such could dishonour the late minister’s legacy.
"Whoever emerges as his replacement should know they have a lot of work ahead. Let us not rush or fight among ourselves, because in doing so, we may end up dishonouring his memory,” he stressed.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah also admonished his successor to continue supporting the students he had been sponsoring, reaffirming the party’s commitment to sustain his good works.
Sponsorship
For his part, Mr Iddrisu pledged to take over the sponsorship of 47 medical students the late minister had been supporting in various universities.
“We will not abandon the 47 medical students he was sponsoring. I promise to take care of all of them and fulfil their dreams of becoming medical doctors,” Mr Iddrisu, who is also the Minister of Education, said.
He added that Dr Murtala left many unfinished projects whose completion he would ensure.
Mr Iddrisu described the late minister as a unifier who worked to bring northern MPs together to promote development in the northern sector.
Gratitude
On behalf of the family, a brother of Dr Muhammed, Ibrahim Jabir, expressed gratitude to the government, political leaders, traditional authorities and all sympathisers for their support during the difficult period.
He said the family believed the love and honour shown to Dr Murtala Muhammed would please his Maker.
Background
The Adua is considered the very essence of worship, as it demonstrates a Muslim’s complete trust and reliance on Allah’s power and wisdom.
Muslims make Adua for a variety of reasons, including seeking help during hardship, expressing gratitude in times of joy, asking for forgiveness or requesting anything for their life, no matter how big or small.
