President J.A. Kufuor yesterday, held separate meetings with the bereaved families and personnel of the Ghana Air Force (GAF) at the Air Force Base at Burma Camp to console them over the death of the victims in the March 16 helicopter crash.

The deceased were Wing Commander Ben Acheampong, the pilot, Flt Lt Seth Lartey, co-pilot, Corporals Joseph Bosomefi and Yao Akoensi, both technicians, Corporal Adu Buxton, a patient, Mr Debrah George, a patient and a civilian employee of the Ministry of Defence and Mr Victor Nyarko, a nurse from the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw.

At a meeting with the bereaved families, President Kufuor said, "My presence here is to show you that you are not alone in mourning but the President and the State apparatus are with you."

He said the deceased lost their lives in the line of duty and government would not forget them.

President Kufuor urged personnel of the GAF not to lose heart with the loss of their departed colleagues and said the government would stand by them.

He gave the assurance that government would pursue measures to forestall a recurrence and said the US government has agreed to offer technical assistance and personnel to investigate the accident.

Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, said thorough investigations would be conducted into the accident and more logistic support would be provided for their efficient performance.

Air Vice Marshall Edward A. Mantey, Chief of Air Staff, said they would not be daunted by the accident but would maintain their resolve to defend the nation. He called on the government to count on them to perform much better than before.