Bereaved families left in limbo

Chronicle investigations have revealed that one year after seven people lost their lives in a military helicopter crash in the Atiwa Forest; no compensation has been paid to the victim’s families.

This is contrary to the promise made by the Minister of Defence, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, who is also the acting minister of the interior, during the burial and funeral rites of the victims.

The minister was quoted as saying that the government would adequately compensate the family of the victims who included four soldiers and two patients who were involved in a motor accident on the Accra-Kumasi road and were airlifted from the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for further treatment, and a male nurse at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital who was also detailed to assist the patient on board the helicopter.

A reliable source at the Ministry of Defence confirmed that no compensation has been paid “yet” but could not tell when it would be paid or whether something was being worked out. The source alleged that in the 16 March 2002 airlift fiasco, two patients, one military and the other civilian might not have been officially authorised-making claims for compensation difficult.

The management of Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital told “Chronicle” that it had written several letters and made contacts to the appropriate quarters, but were yet to receive any favourable response.

They said the death of the nurse, Victor Adu Nyarko has created a big vacuum at the Hospital and if the situation stands as it is now, no nurse in the future would be prepared to sacrifice for any patient as their colleague did. When Dr Addo Kufuor was contacted, he directed the reporter to the Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, when contacted, stated that he was not aware of the situation since the helicopter belongs to the military and was being operated under the command of the military. He therefore advised the aggrieved families to officially contact his office for necessary action on the matter.