Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah, wife of the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, delivered a heartfelt tribute during the state funeral held in honour of the eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash.
In a message read on her behalf at the Black Star Square on Friday, August 15, Mrs. Boamah shared poignant memories of her husband, recalling a question he often asked: “Abena Rita, what will you do when I am not around?”
“I never answered you,” she said softly, “and to this day, I still don’t have an answer.”
Mrs. Boamah reminisced about their first meeting on a medical school bus, despite not being a medical student herself, describing the beginning of a journey filled with love, laughter, and late-night walks.
She described her late husband as a devoted father and husband who managed to balance the demands of politics and medicine with a deep commitment to his family.
“Despite your tight schedule, you always made time. You either bathed the children every morning or dressed them while I bathed them,” she said. “You were their favourite teacher, knowing their syllabus inside out, always there to help with both learning and laughter.”
Mrs. Boamah pledged to care for their family in his absence. “With God’s help, I will take care of mummy and our three children, knowing you are watching over us from heaven.”
In closing, she offered words of gratitude and farewell:
“Kofi B, thank you for loving me, for loving the children, for loving my family, and everyone who came to know you. Rest in power, my love.”
Dr. Omane Boamah was one of eight individuals who died in the crash, alongside:
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
- Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC
- Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The tragedy has prompted national mourning and renewed discussions about the state of Ghana’s military aviation.
