In Ghana, the death of a public servant in the line of duty often evokes national grief, glowing tributes, and, in some cases, state-led support for the bereaved family.
Depending on the office held, the individual’s political affiliation, or their proximity to the governing party, the government may step in to provide funeral and burial arrangements. Yet, in many other instances, deserving public servants—and their families—receive little to no official support.
This inconsistency reveals a glaring gap: the absence of a comprehensive National Intervention Policy that guarantees equitable and predictable support for all public servants in the event of disaster or death in service.
The tragic August 6 helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight gallant public servants returning from an anti-galamsey security workshop, has once again brought this urgent need to the fore. These individuals died serving their country, yet the nation’s approach to handling such losses remains largely ad hoc and reactive.
A National Intervention Policy for Public Servants must be more than a ceremonial gesture—it should be a structured, proactive, and equitable safety net. Such a policy should:
• Provide salary adjustments for those injured in service to sustain them and their families during recovery.
• Guarantee comprehensive insurance to cover workplace-related accidents and disasters.
• Ensure posthumous promotions or service recognitions that honor the legacy of fallen public servants.
• Deliver timely compensation packages to families, ensuring they are not left in economic hardship while dealing with grief.
However, compensation alone is not enough. This tragedy also highlights the urgent need for institutional reforms and capacity building within our security and emergency response systems. The Ghana Air Force, for instance, requires a modern aviation laboratory at its bases to enhance safety protocols, accident prevention, and flight data analysis. Furthermore, an Accident Investigation Bureau embedded within our security institutions is essential to ensure swift, independent, and thorough investigations whenever incidents occur.
Equally pressing is the need to upgrade Air Force base hangars, ensuring they are fully equipped with safety systems and preventive measures against flooding—especially at the Takoradi Air Force hangar, which has faced such challenges during the rainy season.
Beyond aviation, the culture of maintenance must be enforced as a legal requirement across all government institutions. This should be driven through the procurement departments of every public body, with the Auditor-General playing a direct oversight role to ensure compliance. Preventive maintenance saves lives, preserves assets, and reduces long-term costs—and it should be seen as a governance priority, not an afterthought.
Central to implementing these measures should be the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). If properly resourced and empowered, NADMO could serve as a fit-for-purpose vehicle to execute the National Intervention Policy to the letter—ensuring fairness, speed, and accountability. This will require dedicated funding streams, capacity enhancement, and legislative backing to give the policy the force of law rather than leaving it to political discretion.
As a nation, we must rise above the reactive culture of offering support only when media attention demands it or when the fallen happen to be politically connected. Public service, in all its forms, is a sacrifice—and sacrifices deserve guaranteed protections, not selective sympathy.
The August 6 tragedy should not become another fleeting headline. Instead, it must be the turning point where Ghana commits to institutionalizing compassion, fairness, safety, and preparedness for every public servant who faces the risks of duty. This is how we truly honor their service—not just with words, but with lasting policy backed by law.
Source: Nana Kweku Ofori Atta, Security Consultant