Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the nation has suffered an irreplaceable loss with the deaths of eight distinguished citizens in a recent helicopter crash.
For Ablakwa, the loss is both a national tragedy and a deeply personal blow.
He believes that no one should have to meet such an end, and that the eight martyrs — Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane Twum Ampadu, and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah — were selfless individuals whose service, goodwill, and contributions to the nation make their deaths especially painful.
To him, they embody both the profound mystery of life and the lasting spirit of patriotic courage, deserving of eternal recognition at home and abroad.
“As Ghana’s Foreign Minister, I have been deeply moved by the overwhelming tributes from world leaders and international organizations of great repute. I am particularly touched by the painstaking efforts of these leaders to personally reach out to President John Mahama and the Foreign Ministry to convey their heartfelt condolences and high regard for our fallen heroes.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Of all the lives lost, the death of Dr. Omane Boamah cuts the deepest for Ablakwa. Their friendship began 23 years ago, when Omane Boamah was already a respected NUGS President and admired student activist.
The two shared intense political debates, with Omane Boamah often speaking about his inspiration from Ernesto Che Guevara. He even introduced Ablakwa to books and manuals on revolution.
Ablakwa drew parallels between the two men: both trained as medical doctors, both dedicated themselves to activism, and both believed revolutions could heal society better than medicine.
“Like Dr. Che Guevara, Dr. Omane Boamah died on the frontlines of active service — Che, fighting for political justice; Omane, fighting for environmental justice,” Ablakwa noted, pointing out that both were taken in their prime.
“Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was my big brother, comrade, confidante, and ever-present political ally,” he said, recalling how Omane Boamah helped him secure victory in the tightly contested 2005 NUGS presidential election.
As a leader, Omane Boamah is credited with protecting the GETFund from mismanagement, ensuring it remained a pillar of Ghana’s educational policy.
His interventions laid the groundwork for initiatives such as the No Fees Stress programme, the GHS50 million Research Fund, and free sanitary pads for schoolgirls.
Unwavering Loyalty And Courage
Hon. Ablakwa further recalled that Omane Boamah’s loyalty extended far beyond policy matters, as he stood firmly beside him through political campaigns, public demonstrations, and even life-threatening moments.
He noted that in 2008, during a CJA protest in Tamale, Dr. Omane Boamah defied his asthma to endure choking dust clouds stirred up by helicopters. Years before that, the pair had narrowly escaped a gun attack on a bus while traveling to another protest.
His path in politics was shaped by principle rather than personal advantage. Despite being born into an NPP family, he chose to align with the NDC during its time in opposition, turning down the easier rewards of joining the ruling party. This decision, in Ablakwa’s view, revealed him as a man of conscience.
He noted that that steadfast commitment over the years eventually earned Omane Boamah the role of Minister of Defence under President Mahama.
“His extraordinary output as NDC Election Director… is no mean feat. It takes a very special comrade to achieve that,” Ablakwa remarked, citing his role in introducing body cameras to safeguard electoral transparency.
Omane Boamah was also the driving force behind policies like Free Primary Healthcare and the Mahama Cares programme.
A Family Man First
For all his political achievements, Omane Boamah was equally devoted to his family. Ablakwa admired his commitment to spending quality time with his wife, Rita, and children, Akua, Ama, and Yaw. That dedication, he believes, was shaped by the early loss of Omane Boamah’s father.
Before his untimely death, Omane Boamah was working on two books — one honoring the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, and another recounting his political journey and partnership with President Mahama. Ablakwa appealed for both to be published posthumously as a fitting tribute.
“I am eternally grateful for all you did for me, bro — this is not how we planned it — but I know God is preserving your soul in a much better place,” Ablakwa said, adding that the best way to honour the Ghana martyrs is to continue their fight for environmental justice under President Mahama’s leadership.
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