The Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of his cousin, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the late Minister of Defence, who perished in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

The crash, which occurred at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of eight individuals, including key government officials.

In an emotional post on social media, Dr Afriye shared heartfelt memories of his bond with Dr Omane Boamah, describing their journey from childhood to university and beyond.

“My cousin I will see no more. My heart is deeply troubled. Life, oh Life! Kofi, we made it together from home to Uni. We kept our bond from the 90s,” he wrote.

He recalled their time at the University of Ghana, where they maintained a close relationship despite Dr Omane Boamah residing at Okponglo while frequently visiting Dr Afriye at Commonwealth Hall.

“In med school at Korle Bu, the scores were settled when we were allocated one room, and we bonded in room B63. Politics has never separated us after school. Rita! My heart bleeds heavily for you and family... a life we live on earth... OMG! I am in pain! I am down... how do I control these tears,” he wrote.

Dr Afriye revealed that he learned of the tragedy while abroad, through a call from the chief editor of an opposition newspaper whom Dr Omane Boamah had previously assisted with medical treatment in the United States.

“Doc, have you heard the news? … Your brother had a crash,” the editor informed him, prompting Dr. Afriye to check GhanaWeb, where he confirmed the devastating news.

“OMG!! I can’t control my tears. I am deeply saddened… Kofi! Kofi! Kofi! Demrefa dui… awww! Lord have mercy!!” the Ranking Member wrote.

A little after midday on Wednesday, the Ghana Armed Forces issued a statement indicating that a helicopter headed for Obuasi had gone off radar, with efforts underway to locate the missing aircraft.

“A GAF helicopter, Z9, that took off this morning at 0912hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi is currently off the radar. All efforts are being made to establish contact. On board were three crew members and five passengers. Further details will be communicated soon,” the statement said.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the deaths of the eight persons in a short briefing at the Jubilee House.

He confirmed that the victims lost their lives in the helicopter crash that occurred at Adansi Akrofuom in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

The others include Limuna Muniru, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); and Samuel Aboagye, NADMO Deputy Director-General.



GA