The nation on Friday, August 15, laid to rest Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, one of eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash, in a solemn ceremony marked by military honours and a nationwide outpouring of grief.
The burial service, held at Black Star Square before interment at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo, brought together top government officials, the military high command, political leaders, and ordinary Ghanaians who gathered to honour a man remembered for his lifelong dedication to public service.
Dr. Boamah, a former student activist, physician, and political leader, was celebrated not only for his contributions to governance but also for his passion for protecting Ghana’s natural resources. His tragic death has reignited a national conversation about illegal mining, or galamsey — an issue he had been committed to addressing in his ministerial role.
Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, reflecting on Dr. Boamah’s legacy during an interview, called on government and citizens alike to honour the late minister by intensifying efforts to curb the destructive practice.
“If we truly respect Omane Boamah, we should renew our commitment to fighting galamsey. Anything less would be a huge dishonour to his memory,” Pratt urged, warning of the devastating impact of illegal mining on cocoa production, the environment, and public health.
Friday’s military send-off, featuring performances by the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Air Force bands, followed an interfaith funeral service where tributes flowed alongside tears for the fallen.
It marked the second burial ceremony for victims of the crash, after the earlier interment of Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed on August 10.
Alongside Dr. Boamah, those laid to rest on August 15 included NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
As Ghana mourns its fallen leaders, the tragedy has become more than a moment of grief — it is emerging as a turning point in the fight against illegal mining, with many urging that Dr. Omane Boamah’s sacrifice must inspire concrete action to save the nation’s environment and future.
