Ghana is in mourning following the tragic death of Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the country’s Minister for Defence, who was among eight people confirmed dead in Wednesday’s helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
Dr. Omane Boamah, a trained medical doctor and seasoned public servant, was widely respected for his dedication to duty and his commitment to national development. His death has sent shockwaves through the political establishment and the country at large.
Born in Ghana, Dr. Omane Boamah was an old student of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary in Koforidua. He studied medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School and later obtained a Master’s degree in Health Policy Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
His passion for public service was evident from his student days, during which he served as President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and Coordinating Secretary of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students’ Associations.
He first entered government as Deputy Minister for Environment, Science and Technology from 2009 to 2012 under President Atta Mills. He later served briefly as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports before being appointed Minister for Communications and Presidential Spokesperson under President John Dramani Mahama between 2013 and 2017.
In these roles, Dr. Omane Boamah championed Ghana’s digital development agenda, led environmental reforms, and took strong positions on media responsibility and cyber safety. He was instrumental in the development of the Government of Ghana’s 4G LTE network and the establishment of the country’s first national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).
In January 2025, he was appointed Minister for Defence by President Mahama in the newly elected administration. His tenure, though short-lived, was marked by bold reform proposals, including the modernization of military infrastructure, expansion of veterans’ benefits, and a 1 billion Dollars strategic investment plan to boost the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He was also outspoken on the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackling illegal mining (galamsey), advocating for a shift from military-only interventions to inclusive and sustainable community-based solutions.
Dr. Omane Boamah’s commitment to integrity and professionalism stood out in public life. He was known for rejecting nepotism in recruitment, demanding transparency in the management of military resources, and promoting the welfare of service personnel.
The Defence Minister died alongside seven other government and military officials while en route to the launch of a Responsible Mining Programme in Obuasi. Their military helicopter lost contact with authorities shortly after take-off and was later discovered crashed in the forested area of Adansi Akrofuom.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who confirmed the death of Dr. Omane Boamah and the others, has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in their honour.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah leaves behind a legacy of visionary leadership, unwavering service, and a deep commitment to Ghana’s progress. His death is a tragic loss to the nation.
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