The Christ the King Parish in Accra was enveloped in grief on Thursday, August 14, as the children of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, delivered a heartfelt tribute to their father.

They described him as “irreplaceable” and a guiding light whose love and compassion shaped their lives.

The children spoke of the values their father instilled in them, teaching that true success is measured not only by personal achievements but by the number of lives positively touched.

“Your love was steady, your love was gentle, and it was the warmth that filled our home,” they said, recalling his constant presence in their lives, even during official travels.

“You called us every day when you travelled. You never missed our special moments. You taught us to dream big but stay grounded. You showed us that compassion is strength, truth is an obligation, and service to others is the greatest legacy.”

“Daddy, why did you leave us so soon? Never in a million years would we have imagined this. Who will we call in the middle of the night when we have questions? Who will have the answers? You are irreplaceable, Edwardo,” they said.

Dr Omane Boamah was among eight people who died in the August 6 military helicopter crash, which also claimed the lives of Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; former parliamentary candidate and Deputy NADMO Director-General, Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman, Samuel Sarpong; and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.

Three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also perished in the accident.

A state funeral for the victims will be held in at the Black Star Square on Friday, August 15, although Dr Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed have already been buried in line with Islamic rites.