Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has paid an emotional tribute to the eight victims of Wednesday’s fatal military helicopter crash, describing the tragedy as a monumental national catastrophe that has left him personally shaken.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Ablakwa stated that he led the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to honour the fallen heroes, among them Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, whom he referred to as “my brother, confidante, and political ally.”
He revealed that Dr. Omane Boamah was a dedicated member of the Ministry’s Ministerial Advisory Council and had attended their last meeting on August 1, just days before the crash.
“As our Council minutes confirm, Dr. Omane Boamah’s contributions were always insightful, erudite, visionary and forthright,” Ablakwa wrote.
He also reflected on his long association with Environment Minister Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, recalling their days as student leaders.
Ablakwa said Murtala served as Secretary-General of the All-Africa Students Union while he and Dr. Omane Boamah both served as Presidents of the National Union of Ghana Students.
Their first official travel together, he recounted, was to Libya at the invitation of the late President Muammar Gaddafi for an African Youth Summit on continental unity.
The Foreign Minister expressed hope that the victims’ “ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty” would inspire an end to illegal mining, saying, “We must ensure that this unspeakable tragedy marks the death of galamsey.”
“May God grant their families fortitude and succour. Rest with the Lord, gallant 8,” he concluded.
