Amidst a turbulent funeral service in Koforidua—which was momentarily halted due to unexpected heavy rains and strong winds—a message of political unity was delivered by Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders.

Commiserating with the bereaved family and the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, December 13, Mr. Owusu-Agyemang paid a deeply personal and glowing tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, whose life was tragically cut short in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang, a veteran politician and key figure in the NPP, set aside partisan rivalry to reflect on his early relationship with Dr. Omane Boamah. He described the former NDC Minister as a dedicated public servant whose loss represents a significant blow to the nation’s pool of talent.

“I knew him to be a very brilliant young man, very dedicated, committed, and focused on everything that he did at that time,” he said, praising the late Minister’s sincere application to every responsibility he undertook.

The NPP Elder candidly acknowledged the political differences that later placed the two men on opposing sides of Ghana’s polarized political landscape, a division he accepts as a natural part of democratic life.

“Unfortunately, we split. We went one side and he went the other side. But that is life,” Mr. Owusu-Agyemang stated. He stressed that such divisions must never be allowed to overshadow the integrity and potential contributions of individuals like Dr. Omane Boamah, adding that Ghana had lost a devoted and sincere individual who could have contributed even more to national development.

The high-profile tribute served as a solemn call for political tolerance, echoing the national sentiment of unity that often emerges following major tragedies. Dr. Omane Boamah’s death—alongside seven others, including Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and military personnel—has been widely described as a national rather than a partisan loss.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang used the occasion to appeal for a more harmonious political environment:

“We are one people in this country, and we need to work together and co-exist so that there’ll be no problem within,” he urged.

Dr. Omane Boamah was known for his dedication, having served in various capacities, including as Minister of Communications and as Director of Elections and Information Technology for the NDC before his final role as Defence Minister.

His passing has been a potent reminder of the fragility of life and the shared fate of public servants, regardless of their political colours.

The tribute from the Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders solidified the bipartisan acknowledgment of Dr. Omane Boamah's selfless service and commitment to Ghana’s democratic development.