By Christiana Afua Nyarko, GNA
Accra, Aug. 7, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday unveiled a cenotaph and bust in honour of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, at the Ministry of Defence.
The memorial commemorates Dr Omane Boamah, who died in active service alongside seven other government and military officials in a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crash in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region on August 5, 2026.
Addressing ministers of state, members of the Armed Forces Council, service chiefs, diplomats, traditional and religious leaders, family members and sympathisers, President Mahama said the memorial honoured the late Minister’s service to the nation.
“This ceremony honours the memory of the late Honourable Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, who served our country with distinction as Minister for Defence,” the President said.
He said the ceremony reaffirmed the nation’s gratitude to a public servant whose commitment to Ghana would continue to inspire future generations.
The President described Dr Omane Boamah as a leader who served with dignity, humility and commitment to safeguarding the country’s peace and security, and credited him with contributing to the strengthening of the Ghana Armed Forces and democratic governance.
“For me, this immortalisation of Omane’s memory is deeply personal. He was a friend, a younger brother, a loyalist and a close adviser. His loyalty and love for me were unquestionable. He stood by my side through many defining moments of my political career,” the President stated.
President Mahama thanked the Ghana Armed Forces for honouring their former Minister, noting that Dr Omane Boamah was the only Defence Minister in Ghana’s history to die while serving in office.
He also thanked Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, for sending a special envoy, Major General Célestin Simporé, Minister in charge of Defence and Veterans Affairs, to represent him at the ceremony.
The President extended Government’s condolences to the bereaved families and said the sacrifices of the deceased would remain part of the nation’s history.
Earlier, Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Minister for Defence, said the memorial reflected Ghana’s commitment to honouring distinguished public servants.
He paid tribute to Dr Omane Boamah and the seven others who died in the crash: Mr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Mr Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala; Flight Lieutenant Manen Twum Ampadu; and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
“For me, this moment is deeply personal. He was more than a superior. He was a mentor, a guide and an elder brother in every meaningful sense,” Mr Genfi said.
He said the cenotaph would serve as a permanent reminder of principled leadership and inspire military personnel, civilian staff and future public servants.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance and Acting Minister for Defence, said the memorial affirmed that lives dedicated to selfless public service would not be forgotten.
He said the monument symbolised the nation’s gratitude to a leader whose vision, humility and commitment strengthened Ghana’s defence institutions.
Dr Forson said the late Minister championed professionalism, discipline and accountability while advancing reforms that improved the operational readiness of the Ghana Armed Forces and advocated closer military-civilian collaboration.
The Ministry of Defence also launched a special commemorative edition of *The Defender* magazine documenting Dr Omane Boamah’s life, reforms and contributions to the defence sector.
“The greatest memorial to his life will not be this monument alone, but our collective commitment to build stronger institutions and place the national interest above every other consideration,” Dr Forson said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter Christiana Afua Nyarko, GNA
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