President Mahama unveils Cenotaph in honour of late Defence Minister Omane Boamah

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a cenotaph in honour of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, at the Ministry of Defence in Accra to commemorate his service and sacrifice to the nation.

The monument was erected by the Ministry of Defence to immortalise Dr Omane Boamah, who died alongside seven others in a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025, while on an official national assignment.

The ceremony formed part of activities marking the first anniversary of the tragedy and recognised the late minister's contributions to strengthening the Ghana Armed Forces and promoting Ghana's democratic governance.

Among the dignitaries present were Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Acting Defence Minister and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Burkina Faso's Minister for Warfare and Patriotic Defence, General Célestin Simporé, service chiefs, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious and traditional leaders, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

Addressing the gathering, President Mahama said the unveiling of the cenotaph was a symbol of the nation's appreciation for a dedicated public servant whose life was devoted to Ghana.

“Today, we gather not only to unveil a cenotaph, but to reaffirm our nation’s gratitude to a devoted patriot whose life was dedicated to the service of Ghana,” he said.

“This ceremony honours the memory of the late Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, who served our country with distinction as Minister of Defence.”

The President described Dr Omane Boamah as a humble, diligent and committed leader whose efforts to strengthen the country's security architecture would remain part of Ghana's history.

He also paid a personal tribute to the late minister, describing him as a trusted confidant and loyal ally.

“For me, the immortalization of Omane’s memory is deeply personal. He was a friend, a younger brother, a loyalist, and a close advisor. His loyalty and love for me were undoubted. He stood by my side through all momentous occasions of my political career. Omane was a great human being. His kind is difficult to find in our world today,” President Mahama stated.

The President commended the Ghana Armed Forces for honouring the late Defence Minister, noting that Dr Omane Boamah remains the only Defence Minister in Ghana's history to have died while serving in office.

He also expressed appreciation to Burkina Faso's President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, for dispatching General Célestin Simporé as a special envoy to represent him at the memorial ceremony.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Ghana, President Mahama extended his condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of the late minister.

“May they find comfort in the knowledge that his service to Ghana shall never be forgotten. May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace,” he said.

Dr Omane Boamah was among eight people who lost their lives when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025. The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region for the launch of the government's Cooperative Mining Initiative when the aircraft went down.

The crash also claimed the lives of Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three military personnel—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

GNA