The Catholic Church in Ghana has held a solemn requiem service at Christ the King Parish in Accra in honour of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, both of whom were long-standing and devoted members of the church.

The service drew clergy, military personnel, bereaved families, and members of the public, who came together in a moving display of respect and remembrance.

The evening was marked by solemn hymns, heartfelt tributes, and words of comfort offered to those mourning the two distinguished men.

In an emotional tribute, Dr Omane Boamah’s widow remembered her late husband as the pillar of their family.

“Despite your demanding schedule as a medical doctor and later in politics, you always found time for the children—either bathing them each morning or dressing them after I had done so. You were their favourite teacher."

"You would often ask what I would do when you were no longer here. I never had an answer—until today, I still do not. But with God’s help, I will care for your mother and the children. Knowing you, I believe you will be watching over us from the heavens to guide our steps,” she said.

The widow of Squadron Leader Anala also paid a touching tribute, describing her late husband as the answer to her prayers.

“From the day I met him, my life was transformed. Peter was the hardest-working man I have ever known, utterly devoted to both his work and his family. He promised me that I would never have to lift a finger because he would carry the load for both of us—and true to his word, I have never lacked or struggled for anything,” she recalled.

Dr Omane Boamah, Squadron Leader Anala, and six others perished in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in a forested area at Sikaman, within the Adansi Akrofrom District of the Ashanti Region.

They were travelling to Obuasi for the launch of the government’s Cooperative Mining Initiative when the tragedy struck.

The other victims were Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, and Deputy NADMO Director-General and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.