The Parish Priest of the Christ the King Parish, Very Rev. Father Dr Ebenezer Akesseh, has urged public office holders to emulate Dr Kofi Omane Boamah’s examples as a faithful and patriotic servant of the nation.
Speaking on one of the sub-topics at the Dr Omane Boamah public lecture series in Accra yesterday, he said office holders must embrace integrity, selfless service, empathy, courage and unwavering dedication to the common good.
The maiden lecture was on the topic, “Selfless Leadership in Public Service: Lessons from the Life and Legacy of the Late Hon. Dr (Med.) Edward Kofi Omane Boamah”, and was held at the Burma Hall, Burma Camp.
He described Dr Omane Boamah as the embodiment of servant leadership, saying he dedicated his talents, medical expertise and political career to the service of the nation, worth emulating by all.
“True greatness is measured not by the positions one holds but by the lives one positively impacts through faithful service. Dr Omane Boamah consistently placed the needs of others above his own interests,” Rev. Fr Akesseh said.
He cited an instance where the late minister interrupted his journey to personally assist a woman in distress and ensure she received urgent medical care.
“That action demonstrates that compassion must always be accompanied by action,” he stated.
According to him, Dr Omane Boamah viewed leadership as a moral responsibility rooted in integrity, humility and accountability.
“Throughout his career, he earned the trust of colleagues and the public by remaining transparent, rejecting corruption and making decisions based on the national interest rather than personal or political advantage,” Rev. Fr Akesseh said.
He also highlighted the former minister’s humility despite occupying high public office. He described the late minister as an attentive listener who welcomed diverse opinions, respected expertise and encouraged participatory decision-making.
Rev. Fr Akesseh affirmed that his leadership style empowered others, built confidence within teams and promoted excellence.
He further pointed to Dr Omane Boamah’s patriotism, revealing that even after his party had lost political power, he turned down lucrative international opportunities to remain in the country and continue serving as a medical doctor.
“This reflected his deep commitment to country above personal benefit,” the Catholic priest stated.
Event
The event was organised by the Ministry of Defence in honour of the former Minister of Defence, who died last year in a military helicopter crash.
It was organised in collaboration with the minister’s school mates, the Pope John’s Old Boys Association (POJOBA), and the Ghana Armed Forces.
It brought together a host of government officials, including the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the acting Minister of Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, among others.
Also present were service chiefs, veterans and old boys of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary, and family members of Dr Boamah to reflect on his legacy of public service, leadership, and commitment to national security.
Preventing floods
Prof. Kwasi Appeaning Addo, who addressed the sub-topic, “Accra Beyond the Floods: Rethinking Enforcement, Urban Planning and Community Resilience" said the nation must move beyond reacting to floods after they had occurred and instead adopt a proactive, long-term strategy centred on strict law enforcement, sustainable urban planning and resilient communities.
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (2nd from right), Vice-President, in the company of Johnson Asiedu Nketia (3rd from right), National Chairman of the NDC, and some government officials applauding during the lecture
The coastal and marine resource expert and researcher stated that Accra had become trapped in a recurring cycle where heavy rains led to flooding, destruction of property, displacement of residents and loss of lives, followed by emergency relief and public debate, only for attention to fade until the next disaster.
He stressed that this cycle is preventable.
The professor argued that flooding in Accra is largely man-made rather than purely the result of heavy rainfall.
Prof. Addo attributed the challenge to weak enforcement of planning regulations, illegal construction on watercourses and floodplains, poor waste management, destruction of wetlands, rapid urbanisation and inadequate drainage infrastructure.
Drawing on scientific studies and recent rainfall data, he stressed that while climate change was contributing to more intense rainfall, human activities remained the principal cause of the city's flood vulnerability.
Call to action
Prof. Appeaning Addo called for a comprehensive strategy built on three pillars — stronger enforcement of planning laws using modern technologies such as drones, Artificial Intelligence and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); integrated urban planning that prioritises drainage infrastructure and protects natural waterways before development occurs, and stronger community participation in sanitation, waste management and disaster preparedness.
