Renowned Ghanaian playwright Ebo Whyte has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, describing him as "a true son, a leader, and a potential president" of Ghana.
Dr. Omane Boamah was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in a tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
In a recent Facebook post, Ebo Whyte shared his emotional response to the news of the crash, recalling the moment his intercom rang with the devastating information. "Wednesday afternoon, my intercom rang… she said, 'Uncle, breaking news, a military helicopter has crashed on its way to Obuasi.' The news hit me hard… Time froze for me." (Read I endorse full scale investigations -Rex Omar on helicopter crash claiming eight lives)
Ebo Whyte reflected on a memorable encounter with Dr. Omane Boamah at a book launch for "When Men Slept," where he offered to help edit and publish the minister's memoirs.
Dr. Omane Boamah declined the offer, prioritizing Ebo Whyte's apolitical credibility over personal gain. This selfless act earned him Ebo Whyte's deepest respect.
“So the news of his passing and that of the other seven gallant men has been extremely difficult. It still is. I haven’t been able to shake it off. What a loss. Ghana has lost a true son. A leader. A potential president. As far as I’m concerned, Wednesday should go down as one of the darkest days in our nation’s recent history” he wrote.
On Wednesday, August 6, Ghana was plunged into a state of mourning when a helicopter crashed at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. The eight victims were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC and Samuel Aboagye, NADMO's Deputy Director-General of Operations
Also, there were three Airforce crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
President John Dramani Mahama consequently declared three days of mourning and cancelled all his scheduled events last week following the accident.
The government further instructed that the national flag must fly at half-mast in recognition of the national loss.
The programme of events began on Thursday, August 7, with a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Jubilee House at 1:00 p.m. This remembrance continued on Friday.
The three schedule of programme ended on Saturday, August 9, with a national event dubbed “Evening of Reflections and Memorials”, held at the Forecourt of the State House that had high profile and political figures including former President John Agyekum Kufour and immediate Vice President, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia and envoys of various countries.
The two muslims, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator were buried on Sunday, August 10. (Read Helicopter crash: Murtala, Limuna laid to rest - Forensic results for 6 others received)
A state funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square.
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