The family of the late Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah on Saturday December 13 ,held his final funeral rite at Jackson Park in Koforidua, drawing a large gathering of high-ranking government officials, traditional leaders, party faithful, and sympathisers from across the country.
The solemn ceremony was attended by the First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister for Communications Sam George, George Opare Addo,Minister for Youth Development, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, and several other government officials.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, the Regional Chairman of NDC -mentored by late Dr. Omane Boamah were fulcrum of the solemn event.
Some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) including Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Dr. Mark Asibey Yeboah, former MP for New Juaben South, Patrick Yaw Boamah, NPP MP Okaikwei Central were also present.
Traditional rulers from the Eastern Region and party supporters, various Sports Supporters Unions thronged the venue to pay their last respects to the late statesman, who was widely described as a committed public servant and a unifier.
The mother of the late Dr. Omane Boamah, Leticia Asante, and his widow, Abena Rita Omane Boamah, who survives him with their three children, were present at the ceremony but remained visibly devastated by the loss.
The funeral, however, was disrupted by a heavy rainstorm which saw canopies flying and crashing vehicles as mourners including dignitaries run into their vehicles for safety and left.
Dr. Omane Boamah, who was serving as Minister for Defence, tragically died on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others, in a helicopter crash while travelling on a national assignment at Obuasi.
The Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter with tail number GHF 631 according to investigative report the suddenly lost altitude.
There was no sign of mechanical failure or loss of power, but the helicopter descended rapidly and struck the hilly forested area about six and a half miles from Obuasi at approximately 9:58 a.m.
Other prominent personalities who died included Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
A state burial was held for the departed souls,but as tradition requires,the bereaved family ought to perform the final funeral rite.
His sudden death has plunged the Eastern Region and the entire nation into deep mourning, with many Ghanaians remembering him for his dedication to public service and his contribution to national development.
A requiem mass will be held this morning at St. George’s Cathedral of the Catholic Church in Koforidua where he was baptised and raised as a devout Catholic , served as an altar boy — and later President of the Knights of St. John Cadet Corps in the Koforidua Chapter.
Born December 26,1975 at Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital to the late Mr. Edward Kwame Omane and Madam Leticia Asante (Sister Abena), who hailed from Koforidua Effiduase and Kwahu Obomeng, respectively, Dr. Omane Boamah attended Koforidua Experimental Basic School and later studied at Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary from 1989 to 1996.
Dr. Omane Boamah earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana in March 2006. During this period, he pursued an additional clinical elective at the Washington University School of Medicine.
He later completed a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing at the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2018.
He served as the President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). He was elected in 2002.
Dr. Omane Boamah served in various capacities both locally and internationally .
In Ghana he served as Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in 2009, later Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports,then uplifted to Minister responsible for Communications and Information.
He was Director of Elections and Information Technology for the National Democratic congresss,NDC in 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections which brought the NDC back to power.
President John Mahama appointed him as his Defense Minister which he made incredible achievements within the few months in office before the untimely death.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
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