Pope John SHS Mourns Old Student Omane Boamah with Requiem Mass: "He Was There Just a Month Ago"
- Edward Omane Boamah visited Pope John SHS just a month before his death, delivering a powerful keynote speech during the school’s 67th Anniversary and National Homecoming
- A solemn requiem mass was held on campus recently to honour the late Defence Minister's memory, with students, staff, and dignitaries reflecting on his inspiring message and legacy
- Dr Boamah and seven others, including Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, perished in a Ghana Air Force helicopter crash on August 6, while en route to an official event in the Ashanti Region
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Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary (POJOSS) is mourning the painful death of their iconic old student, Dr Edward Omane Boamah.
Source: Facebook
The late Defence Minister, who was at the school just one month ago, delivered an inspirational address at the institution's 67th Anniversary, Speech and Prize-Giving Day, and National Homecoming.
The anniversary was slated for June 13 to 15, 2025.
The news of the passing of Dr Omane Boamah has left both staff and students in dismay, as many recounted his presence and inspiring speech during the anniversary celebration.
A solemn requiem mass was held on campus to honour his memory, with staff of the school community, students, and dignitaries in attendance.
Watch the video of the requiem mass below:
Omane Boamah's past speech at former school
During his final visit to his alma mater on June 15, 2025, Dr Omane Boamah delivered a motivational speech that reflected on discipline, leadership, service, and how Pope John Senior High shaped his life to become who he had become.
In the speech, he said:
“Pope John’s built me. This school shaped my story, so when the time came, I knew I had to give back. Ahead of this 67th anniversary, we asphalted the school’s roads, symbolic of what happens when we invest in young people, filling the potholes in their adventurous lives with discipline, hard work, and character. These memories live in me to this day."
"This journey was not a straight path; it came with late nights, failures, rejections, and restarts. What kept me going were the values I learnt here right at POJOSS: discipline, faith, resilience, and unity. I owe a great deal to the lessons I learnt, as well as to the teachers who believed in me. Sometimes, others fight to start your journey, and later, you must fight to help others begin theirs. That is how I began here. That is why I will continue to fight for Pope John’s Senior High School and Seminary.”
Listen to the touching speech below:
Dr Omane Boamah's deep message resonated with current and old students, many of who shared photos and videos from his visit on social media after the news of his death.
The former Defence Minister and respected medical doctor was known not just for his political achievements, but for his outstanding commitment to education, mentorship, and nation-building.
Source: Facebook
As Pope John SHS continues to mourn, they also celebrate the life of a man who came back home to inspire, not knowing he was bidding his final farewell.
Helicopter crash claims eight lives in Obuasi
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that eight people, including ministers Dr Omane Boamah and Murtala Muhammed, died in a Ghana Air Force helicopter crash in Obuasi.
The aircraft went down in a forested area in the Ashanti Region on August 6 amid poor weather conditions, leaving none alive and plunging the nation into mourning.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
