Hundreds of people from all walks of life joined the family; relatives; friends and loved ones of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, at the Jackson Park, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, to observe his final funeral rites.
The former Defence Minister was one of the eight government officials who perished in a military helicopter crash near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025.
All eight men who perished in that tragic crash have already been buried by the state.
Dignitaries
Among the mourners were dignitaries such as the First Lady, Lordina Mahama; the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson; the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza; the Communication Digital Technology and Innovations Minister, Sam George; the Works and Housing Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei; the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, and the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.
Others present were Members of Parliament (MPs) from the political divide, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCES), service commanders, some political party leaders such as the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, and the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the NPP, Hackman Owusu Agyemang, some religious leaders and traditional rulers led by the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III.
Solemn occasion
It was a solemn occasion as the widow of the late Dr Omane Boamah, Rita Omane Boamah, their three children, namely Akua Anima Boamah, Ama Oforiwaa Boamah and Yaw Obeng Boamah, as well as the mother of the late minister, received greetings from the mourners.
At the same time, members of the Ghana Supporters Union and the Military Band provided dirges in a solemn manner that kept the event alive.
All that was in memory of the late Dr Omane Boamah, who hailed from Effiduase, a suburb of Koforidua.
Rainstorm
While donations were being made to the bereaved family, which coincided with the arrival of the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, a rainstorm suddenly occurred, which disrupted the activities.
Canopies erected were overturned, forcing the mourners to run helter-skelter while the dignitaries had to be whisked away in their vehicles.
Memorial & thanksgiving
At the Koforidua St George Catholic Cathedral on Sunday, a memorial and thanksgiving service was organised for the departed Dr Omane Boamah.
It was attended by his widow, mother, other relatives, friends and loved ones, as well as the Eastern Regional Minister and the Omanhene of New Juaben.
Sermon
In a sermon, the Administrator of the Cathedral, Very Rev. Father Joseph Afum Attah, based his teaching on biblical quotes and comforted the bereaved family, especially the widow, children and the mother, with the assurance that the late Omane Boamah was resting in the bosom of God.
The Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, said it was sad that the late Dr Omane Boamah lost his life trying to find out how best to end illegal mining (galamsey).
He stated that Ghana was currently engulfed in galamsey, rendering the waters of major rivers such as the Birim and Densu unwholesome for human consumption and expressed the hope that the situation would soon be reversed so that Omane Boamah's death would not be in vain.
Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum prayed for the family for God's protection and guidance, as well as for the soul of the late Defence Minister to rest in peace.
Writer's email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh
