Dr Omane Boamah Dies in Helicopter Crash: Top Sports Administrator Pays Heartfelt Tribute
- A prominent football administrator has joined the nation in mourning the heartbreaking deaths of top officials
- He shared some emotional memories of Dr Omane Boamah’s impactful role in Ghanaian football before his untimely passing
- The former Minister for Defence and Environment tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region
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The passing of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister for Defence, has left the nation reeling in shock and sorrow.
News of his death, following a tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, broke on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
From personal struggle to digital leadership
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah didn’t just talk about change, he embodied it. At a recent Pope John Senior High School anniversary celebration, he stepped onto familiar ground not only as a former student but as a role model.
In an emotional address, he shared how his own educational journey nearly ended before it began. A missing document had almost blocked his admission, but his mother, in tears, pleaded with school authorities to give her son a chance. That defining moment of struggle became a lifelong reminder of what it means to fight for opportunity.
But Dr. Boamah didn’t stop at storytelling. He turned his personal challenges into powerful lessons for the youth. Linking past to future, he introduced the audience to Ghana’s ambitious “One Million Coders” initiative, a program aimed at giving young people the skills to thrive in the digital age.
In that moment, Dr. Boamah was more than a politician or a former student, he was a symbol of perseverance and progress.
Source: Facebook
Dr Omane Boamah, other top government officials die in helicopter crash
Dr. Boamah was one of eight passengers aboard a military helicopter en route to Obuasi.
The journey was part of a government assignment led by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, focusing on the fight against illegal mining.
According to official reports, the aircraft included four other government officials and three crew members. The tragic incident abruptly ended the lives of all on board, as noted by the BBC.
Confirmation of Dr. Boamah's passing came through Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who addressed the media during a press briefing at Jubilee House, per News Central Africa.
Tributes pour in after crash claims eight lives
As news spread, tributes poured in from all corners of Ghana’s political landscape.
President John Dramani Mahama was said to be “down, down emotionally,” as revealed by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu during an interview with AFP.
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also shared his pain, calling the crash a “national tragedy” in a heartfelt message on Facebook.
“The entire country is profoundly shocked and saddened,” he wrote.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president, added his voice to the chorus of mourning.
“A while ago, I communicated to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, my deepest condolences following the heart-wrenching news of the loss of two of our nation’s Ministers and six others in a helicopter crash earlier today,” he said.
From politics to the pitch: Dr Omane Boamah's role in the May 9 stadium disaster
Though best known for his political career, Dr. Omane Boamah’s legacy stretches beyond the corridors of power.
It extends to Ghana’s darkest sporting day, the May 9 stadium disaster of 2001.
Source: Facebook
Accra Great Olympics General Manager Eric Alagidede shed light on this lesser-known chapter during Sporty FM's Drive Show.
Speaking on the subject matter, he revealed how the late Boamah, then a young medical doctor, brought his knowledge and courage to the scene to assist victims during the chaos at the stadium.
His intervention that day, according to Alagidede, was a symbol of his selflessness and his instinct to serve.
Watch the video:
“He was hands-on,” Alagidede noted. “You don’t find many like him anymore.”
Dr Omane Boamah's last stadium attendance resurfaces
In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh highlighted Dr. Edward Omane Boamah's most recent visit to a match venue, which took place during the President’s Cup clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
Renowned for his unwavering support for local football, Omane Boamah regularly showed up at games and events to rally behind Ghanaian clubs. He was also active for national teams, while inspiring young talents and championing the growth of the sport.
Source: YEN.com.gh
