Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang have attended the unveiling of a memorial cenotaph in honor of the late Minister for Defense, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
The solemn ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defense in Accra on Thursday, August 6, 2026, exactly one year after the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Dr. Omane Boamah and seven other people.
The cenotaph, erected by the Ministry of Defense, features a statue of the late minister and commemorates his leadership, public service and efforts to strengthen the Ghana Armed Forces.
President Mahama formally unveiled the memorial in the presence of bereaved family members, government officials, military commanders, security experts and invited dignitaries.
As part of the ceremony, the president lit a national memorial candle in remembrance of all eight victims of the August 6, 2025, tragedy.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang lit a candle on behalf of the Armed Forces Council, while Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who serves as caretaker Defense Minister, performed a similar act for the Ministry of Defense.
Delivering an emotional tribute, Mahama described Dr. Omane Boamah as a rare and dependable public servant whose loyalty, counsel and commitment to Ghana would not be forgotten.
The president reflected on their personal and professional relationship, saying the late minister had served the country with discipline, humility and dedication.
Dr. Omane Boamah died when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi-Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region while transporting a government delegation from Accra to Obuasi.
The delegation had been travelling to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program, an initiative intended to promote responsible small-scale mining and combat illegal mining.
The crash also claimed the lives of Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; NDC Vice-Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong; and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
The three military crew members who died were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. There were no survivors.
The cenotaph unveiling formed part of a broader series of commemorative activities marking the first anniversary of the disaster.
Other events included a National Inter-Faith Memorial Service and the inaugural Dr. Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture, which brought together security professionals, government representatives and members of the bereaved families.
The memorial at the Defense Ministry is expected to serve as a permanent reminder of Dr. Omane Boamah’s service and the collective sacrifice of all eight victims.
Source: Omanghana
