The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, has described her collaboration with the late Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, on Ghana’s National Blue Economy Strategy as “a true meeting of minds.”

In an emotional tribute shared on X following the burial ceremony held at the Military Cemetery on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Emelia Arthur reflected on the profound impact of Dr Mohammed’s leadership and the unfinished work they had begun together to safeguard Ghana’s marine and coastal resources.

“When you took up the mantle of Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, you came with a quiet yet determined fire. I watched you in Cabinet, always prepared, always grounded in facts, yet never losing that rare quality of compassion in leadership. You led with both your head and your heart,” part of her post read.

“You taught us that environmental stewardship is not a luxury, but a duty we owe to generations to come. Our work together on Ghana’s National Blue Economy Strategy was a true meeting of minds. I will never forget that Monday morning when we received the draft national strategy from the committee,” she added.

Recalling their joint efforts, Emelia Arthur described receiving the draft strategy as a turning point in shaping a bold vision for Ghana’s oceans, coasts and river systems, driven by their shared belief that environmental protection and economic opportunity must go hand in hand.

She also highlighted their discussions on designing Nature-Based Solutions to combat ocean erosion through inter-sectoral collaboration.

“Our discussions began to shape ideas into a bold vision for our oceans, coasts and river systems, driven by our shared belief that environmental protection and economic opportunity must walk hand in hand,” her post stated.

Tragically, just days later, Dr Murtala Mohammed was among eight individuals who perished in a military helicopter crash near Adansi Sikaman in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

He and the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, were laid to rest on Sunday, August 11, 2025.

A state funeral will be held for the remaining victims of the crash on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.

Murtala,
I have just returned home from your burial service. My brother, my colleague, my comrade—today we laid you to rest. Your sudden departure has left a deep void, and quite a bit of unfinished business for the benefit of our nation.

When you took up the mantle of Minister… pic.twitter.com/8ZCTYcLHJz

— Hon. Emelia Arthur (@emeliaarthur_) August 10, 2025