Omane Boamah was the backbone of my political journey – Ashanti regional minister

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, is grappling with profound grief following the tragic death of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Dr Amoakohene described the late minister as more than just a colleague; he was his mentor, backbone, and a guiding force in his political journey.

In a heartfelt tribute, Dr Amoakohene recounted the significant role Dr Omane Boamah played in his life, both in medicine and politics.

He revealed that the late minister had been instrumental in introducing him to President John Mahama in 2017 after supporting his bid for the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) presidency.

He claimed that since then, Dr Omane Boamah had been a constant source of support and guidance.

Dr Amoakohene’s emotional words painted a vivid picture of a painful moment that transcended professional loss.

“I stood for eight hours today, not to perform surgery or make diagnoses, but helplessly identifying the lifeless bodies of my mentor and seniors, a deeply painful moment beyond words,” he said.

The minister’s tribute underscored the depth of their relationship, describing Dr Omane Boamah as a mentor who nurtured his life into politics.

“He was my senior in both medicine and politics, and more importantly, my mentor,” Dr Amoakohene said, highlighting the late minister’s multifaceted influence on his life.

Dr Amoakohene’s tribute concluded with a poignant reflection on his loss. “I have lost more than a senior and big brother,” he said,

The helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of Dr Omane Boamah and seven others, occurred while they were en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to attend a programme related to the fight against illegal mining