Very Rev Fr Dr Ebenezer Akesseh, the parish priest of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra, the parish of former Minister of Defence Dr Edward Omane Boamah, revealed some interesting details about the deceased minister.

One of the details disclosed by the priest, who was speaking at the maiden annual public lecture in honour of the late Dr Omane Boamah in Accra on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, was his rejection of a top post at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Very Rev Akesseh said that the late defence minister chose to stay with now President John Dramani Mahama after he lost the 2016 election, despite the huge salary he would have been drawing from the WHO position.

“His selfless and unalloyed sense of commitment as a leader was truly exemplary. After the 2016 elections when the NDC lost power, he was presented an opportunity to work with the World Health Organisation on a highly attractive salary. It is an opportunity that people would have embraced without hesitation, yet he chose otherwise.

“He was unwilling to leave his boss, the president, or abandon the cause in which he so believed,” he said.

He disclosed that while in opposition, Dr Omane Boamah, who is a medical doctor by profession, chose to render his service in a hospital without pay.

“Instead of pursuing a moderate international career, he remained in Ghana and continued to serve as a medical doctor in a local hospital, where he offered his services for free,” he said.

“That decision speaks volumes about the depth of his loyalty, the sense of duty and his unwavering commitment to a course he believed was just and worth serving.”

LIVESTREAMING: Maiden annual public lecture in honour of Dr Edward Omane Boamah

The priest praised the former minister for his selfless service to the nation, adding that his virtues should be the standard for every Ghanaian who wants to go into public service.

“Taken together, these qualities: service before self, trustworthiness, humility, attentive listening, empathy, participatory leadership and persuasive influence form the bedrock of Dr Omane Boahene’s philosophy of selfless leadership in public service.

“They remain not only the hallmark of his legacy but also a compelling model for those who aspire to serve our nation,” he added.

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