'His loyalty never wavered': Mahama pays emotional tribute to late defence minister

President John Dramani Mahama has paid an emotional tribute to Ghana's late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, describing him as a trusted friend, loyal adviser and "younger brother" whose support remained constant throughout his political career.

Speaking at the unveiling of a cenotaph in Dr Omane Boamah's honour at the Ministry of Defence in Accra, President Mahama said the late minister had stood by him during some of the defining moments of his political life.

"He was a friend, a younger brother, a loyalist and a close adviser. His loyalty and love for me was undoubted," the president said.

He said Dr Omane Boamah's commitment was driven not by personal ambition but by a shared belief in public service and Ghana's development.

Describing him as "one of a rare kind", President Mahama said the late minister combined humility, professionalism and compassion, earning respect across political and institutional divides.

"Omane was a great human being. His kind is difficult to find in our world today," he said.

The president also thanked the Ghana Armed Forces for organising the memorial ceremony, saying the cenotaph was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to strengthening the country's defence institutions.

He noted that Dr Omane Boamah is the only defence minister in Ghana's history to have died while serving in office, describing it as a sombre milestone that underscored the sacrifices made by public servants.

"The only Defence Minister on record to have died in active service," he said.

The memorial ceremony followed a national interfaith service held earlier in the day, bringing together government officials, military personnel, diplomats, religious leaders and relatives of the eight victims of the

August 6,2025 helicopter crash.

Dr Omane Boamah was among eight people killed when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while travelling on official duty. The victims also included Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and six other state officials and military personnel.

The anniversary commemorations are part of national efforts to honour those who died and to preserve the legacy of one of Ghana's worst peacetime military aviation disasters.