Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia addressing the families and students at KUMACA on Friday
THE FAMILIES of the four students of Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA), who were killed by swine flu virus, have received GH¢20,000 support from the government.
The money was shared equally among the four bereaved families – each taking home GH¢5,000 – during a short ceremony which took place on KUMACA campus at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti Region on Friday.
Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who had made an impromptu visit to KUMACA Friday evening to ascertain the condition in the school, presented the cash to the four families.
In his succinct remarks, the vice president explained that government had decided to give the money to the four bereaved families to support in the burial and funeral rites of the dead students.
Dr. Bawumia, from his facial expression, was very sad following the shocking deaths of the young students. On behalf of the government, he consoled the bereaved families.
He described the deaths as very unfortunate, but quickly entreated the affected families to take heart in their trying moments.
Dr. Bawumia assured the bereaved families that the government was with them.
He prayed fervently for Allah’s protection and healing power for the other students of KUMACA who are currently at the various hospitals in Kumasi receiving treatment.
The vice president also urged parents and guardians whose children left the campus before the vaccination of the students started, to quickly bring them back so that they too could be immunized.
Dr. Bawumia was accompanied to the KUMACA campus by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu and Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, Director General, Ghana Health Service (GHS).
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and his deputy, Elizabeth Agyeman, as well as the Asokore Mampong Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Alidu Seidu, were also there.
Representatives of the bereaved families expressed gratitude to the government for its support.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi