I wasn’t surprised Omane Boamah was named Defense Minister – Nitiwul 

Former Defence Minister Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul has expressed sorrow over the passing of his successor, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, describing him as a dedicated and loyal leader whose loss is keenly felt across the country.

Speaking at the Defence Ministry on August 11, 2025, while signing the book of condolence, Mr. Nitiwul reflected on his long-standing relationship with Dr. Omane Boamah and praised his commitment to Ghana’s progress.

“I knew Dr. Boamah from 2003, and he was very intelligent, very affable, very sharp, somebody who knew what he was about and very passionate about this country and what we need to do to move the country forward,” he said.

Mr. Nitiwul added, “I wasn’t surprised when the President appointed him and got confirmed as the Defence Minister, because I knew him as very loyal, and loyalty is very important to occupy this seat, the seat I occupied for 8 years.”

He emphasized the importance of loyalty in the Defence Ministry, stating, “You have to be loyal to the President, you have to be loyal to the constitution and then to state, else you are not going to find your way here and somebody who can work with Ghana Armed Forces and he couldn’t have gotten a better person than him (Dr. Omane Boamah).”

Reflecting on the days following the tragic helicopter crash, Mr. Nitiwul said, “I knew when I started picking signals that the helicopter cannot be traced, I was very worried because I knew the implications that somebody important would’ve be in the helicopter.”

Describing the loss as a great tragedy, he appealed for unity in mourning the eight victims. “…and let’s all come together to mourn these 8 heroes. I still refuse to believe Omane is gone forever, but one thing that I believe in is that Omane is at the right place,” he added.

The helicopter crash on August 6 claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.

Also among those who perished were helicopter crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z-9 helicopter, carrying three crew and five passengers, went “off the radar” while en route from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event. A search-and-rescue operation later confirmed the deaths of all on board.

Following the tragedy, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed were buried on August 10 according to Islamic rites.