Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah, wife of the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, delivered a deeply moving tribute to her husband during the final state funeral for the eight Ghanaians who perished in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
In a message read on her behalf at the Black Star Square on Friday, August 15, she reflected on a question her husband often asked: “Abena Rita, what will you do when I am not around?”
“I never gave you an answer,” she said softly. “And to this day, I still don’t have one.”
Mrs. Omane Boamah fondly recalled their first meeting on a medical school bus despite not being a medical student herself and described their years together as a journey filled with love, laughter, and countless late-night walks.
She painted a picture of her husband as a “loving and perfect father” who somehow balanced the demands of being both a doctor and a politician while remaining present for his family.
“Despite your busy schedule, you either bathed the children every morning or dressed them while I bathed them. You were their favourite teacher, knowing their syllabus inside out and making time for both study and play,” she shared.
Pledging to keep the family strong, she added:
“With God’s help, I will take care of mummy and our three children, knowing you will be watching over us from the heavens.”
Her tribute closed with heartfelt gratitude:
“Kofi B, thank you for loving me, thank you for loving the children, thank you for loving my family and everyone who came to know you. Rest in power, my love.”
Dr. Omane Boamah was among the eight Ghanaians who tragically lost their lives in the August 6 helicopter crash. The others were Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; and crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
