Stalwart of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ato Ahwoi, has shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who tragically died in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Speaking to journalists after laying a wreath in honour of the victims on Friday, August 8, Mr. Ahwoi described Dr. Boamah as more than just a colleague. “He was a very good man. He was my personal doctor, my son, my friend, my brother—everything. It’s unfortunate that he’s had to leave us so soon, wherever he’s going. But we will all be there one day,” he said.
The wreath-laying ceremony was part of a national mourning exercise for the eight people who perished in the crash, including two top government officials and three military officers.
In a touching recollection, Ato Ahwoi revealed that he had played a direct role in recruiting Dr. Omane Boamah into the NDC.
“By talking to him and convincing him… telling him that it was a better party to be in than whichever party he was in already,” he recalled. “We’ve lost good people who should have been around to see the success of the second NDC.”
The helicopter crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong – National Vice Chairman of the NDC
- Mr. Samuel Aboagye – Former parliamentary candidate
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flight Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The officials were en route to a national assignment when their Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter lost contact with air traffic control and went off radar.
Following the tragedy, the government declared a three-day national mourning period. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Ceremonial Gardens of the Jubilee House on Thursday, August 7, and a national vigil is scheduled for Saturday, August 9.
Due to the condition of the bodies, samples of the victims’ remains have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in proper identification. A government delegation accompanied the samples to ensure a smooth and dignified process ahead of the state burial scheduled for Friday, August 15.
