The late Samuel Nuamah
Yesterday marked exactly eight years since the tragic accident involving the presidential press corps providing coverage for former President John Dramani Mahama.
Almost a decade since that accident that claimed two lives, the victims of the crash claim that they have received no compensation or support from the former President.
The accident which cut short life of a Ghanaian Times correspondent on the spot, occurred on August 20, 2015, as the team was returning from an official assignment at EP Church Convention in Ho.
The hired bus carrying members of the presidential press corps, including journalists and photographers, experienced a burst tyre and somersaulted multiple times before landing in a muddy pool of water near Afienya in the Greater Accra region.
Tragically, Samuel Nuamah, a senior journalist with the Ghanaian Times, lost his life in the accident.
Other occupants of the bus sustained life threatening injuries, with William Gyentu of Peace Fm suffering permanent disability and several others losing valuable items.
Some spent months in hospital with the former president allegedly showing little concern about their welfare.
According to DGN Online sources, the victims claim to have received no compensation or support from former President John Dramani Mahama. They alleged that despite the severity of the accident, the former President never visited them or met them as a group or reached out to offer any assistance.
The victims expressed their disappointment and frustration at the lack of acknowledgement or compensation from Mr Mahama.
They feel that their suffering has been forgotten and that their losses have been unnoticed.
The incident has left a permanent scars on the victims and their families. William Gyentu, a journalist with Peace FM’s, condition is said to be in critical state while another journalist with TV3, Edward Kwabi later lost his life from the impact of the accident.
The editor of Ghanaian Times, Dave Agbenu, had described the sudden death of Samuel Nuamah who left behind a young family as shocking and devastating to the news organization’s staff. Nuamah, who left behind a wife and son, is remembered as a dedicated and talented Journalist. DGN has learnt that the family got a paltry GHC90,000
As the victims mark the eight anniversary of the accident, they hope for recognition and adequate compensation for their losses.
The absence of support from the former President has left them feeling neglected and forgotten, adding to their trauma from the tragic accident.
By Vincent Kubi