“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” 2 Timothy 4:7
Early Life and Christian Foundation
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was born on December 26, 1975, at Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital to the late Mr. Edward Kwame Omane and Madam Leticia Asante (Sister Abena), who hailed from Koforidua Effiduase and Kwahu Obomeng, respectively.
He was baptised at St. George’s Catholic Church in Koforidua and raised in a devout Catholic home in discipline, humility, godliness, and a profound commitment to service.
These enduring values shaped his life. From a young age, he was an active member of his faith community. He spent much of his childhood immersed in life at the parish.
He served as an altar boy and was a dedicated member — and later President of the Knights of St. John Cadet Corps in the Koforidua Chapter.
Additionally, he was involved with the Boy Scouts, reflecting his early passion for spirituality, service and leadership.
Education
Dr. Omane Boamah attended Koforidua Experimental Basic School and later studied at Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary from 1989 to 1996.
He served as Secretary of the School Representative Council (SRC) during the 1995/96 academic year. In this role, he was involved in changes to the fee payment structure and efforts to improve student living conditions.
While in school, he excelled in Biology. After his A-Levels, he did National Service teaching Biology at Benkum Senior High School before continuing to higher education.
Dr. Omane Boamah earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana in March 2006. During this period, he pursued an additional clinical elective at the Washington University School of Medicine.
He later completed a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing at the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2018. Throughout his university journey, he was a steadfast advocate for student rights and quality education.
He served as the President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). He was elected in 2002.
In this role, he was instrumental in holding the government accountable; notably, urging compliance with the provisions of the GETFund Act and ensuring adequate funding for education in Ghana to the benefit of students. During this time, he also published his first book, GETFUND: A NUGS President’s Account.
He was also the Coordinating Secretary of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association (FGMSA).
Significantly, Dr. Omane Boamah, as a medical student, volunteered in emergency medical rescue operations following the tragic May 9, 2001 Accra
Sports Stadium disaster, providing aid in a time of national grief.
His volunteer spirit also led him to support the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in the Asuogyaman District in 2004, underscoring his deep commitment to the wellbeing of people.
Marriage to Rita Adubea Offei
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah married his beautiful, intelligent, hardworking and virtuous sweetheart, Rita Adubea Offei on 2nd September, 2006. Dr. Omane Boamah chose Rita’s birthday as their wedding day to honour his adorable wife as he remarked during his memorable wedding reception.
Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah is a Chartered Accountant and Development Finance Professional. The two were inseparable and most compatible. He was an exceptionally loving, committed and caring husband.
The admirable couple cherished Christian family values and raised their children in the lord. God blessed Kofi and Rita with three children: Akua, Ama and Yaw.
Medical Practice and Humanitarian Service
Upon completion of his medical training in March 2006, Dr. Omane Boamah embarked on a promising medical career. He served with distinction at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Bob Freeman Clinic, and the 37 Military Hospital from 2006 to 2008.
Early in his medical practice, his natural leadership qualities were further highlighted when he was elected President of the Junior Doctors’ Association in 2006 – a continuation of the commitment to serve and lead.
When he began his postgraduate studies in Medical Physiology, Dr. Omane Boamah heeded to a higher calling to public service when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in 2009 to serve the nation.
His medical training was also helpful when, as Minister responsible for Communications and Information, he played a pivotal role in Ghana’s preparation and response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, demonstrating his dedication to safeguarding public health in times of crisis.
He returned to medical practice at Afrah International Hospital in 2017, continuing to bring healing and hope to his patients.
Throughout his career as medical practitioner, he showed compassion, dedication to save lives and support for vulnerable people in diverse ways, with many attesting to the lives he touched, and the help he rendered.
Political Career and Public Service
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was nurtured for leadership first as a student leader when he was elected NUGS President, then as Spokesperson for Junior Doctors and subsequently through activism as a leading member of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) and member of the Free Tsatsu Movement.
Deputy Minister Roles (2009–2013):
President John Evans Atta-Mills of blessed memory, appointed Dr. Omane Boamah to serve as Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology from 2009 to 2012.
He was efficient, dynamic and quickly made a mark.
He worked with his Minister to roll out the then flagship Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS) which benefited some 41,000 students. They also implemented the Free Laptops Initiative for Students and Teachers.
Dr. Omane Boamah led investigations into environmental contamination incidents — he was chairman of the Investigative Committee on the Spillage of Sodium Cyanide in a water body in Kenyase, Ghana, by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited in 2010.
Then in 2011, he was again tasked to chair the Investigative Committee on the Spillage of Low Toxicity Oil Based Mud (LTOBM) by KOSMOS Energy in the Jubilee Offshore Field, West Cape Three Points in Ghana. Additionally, he spearheaded a national tree-planting campaign against deforestation.
He subsequently served as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports (2012–2013), coordinating Ghana’s participation in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Minister of Communications & Presidential Spokesperson (2013–2017):
Appointed by President John Mahama in February 2013, Dr. Omane Boamah led the Ministry of Communications, launching pivotal initiatives such as Ghana’s 4G LTE rollout (GOTA) for the security services, the formation of the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT GH), and a Child Online Protection Framework.
As Communications Minister, he assisted President Mahama to construct Ghana’s first National Data Centre, he is credited for the Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Backbone Infrastructure and he supervised Ghana’s rapid nationwide mobile penetration.
From 2014 to 2017, he also served as Presidential Spokesperson after President Mahama merged the Communications and Information Ministries.
International Footprints
Dr. Omane Boamah served as Vice Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) from 2009 to 2011.
He led the Government of Ghana’s delegation to the negotiations at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Cancun- Mexico in 2010.
As Communications Minister, he dutifully represented Ghana at Cybersecurity Conferences and Meetings in Asia, South America and Europe between 2013 and 2016. Dr. Omane Boamah was a member of Ghana’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Meetings in New York- U.S.A. in 2015 and 2016.
His contributions at the Conference on the Swine Flu Global Pandemic: Washington DC – U.S.A., in August, 2009 was most impressive.
Other Positions held
Dr. Omane Boamah served as Policy Advisor and Political Strategist to President John Dramani Mahama from 2017 to 2024 when the NDC was in opposition. From 2013 to 2017, he chaired the Governing Board of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC).
He was a Board Member of the Ghana AIDS Commission from 2014 to January 2017.
NDC Director of Elections and IT
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was the first person to hold the combined position of Director of Elections and IT in 2024.
He excelled at it introducing a raft of reforms including a novel examination requirement for NDC Polling Agents, putting together a Manual on Elections and establishing a robust electoral collation system.
His initiatives and remarkable leadership ensured that the NDC went into the 2024 elections fully prepared for victory.
Minister of Defence (2025)
In January 2025, President Mahama nominated Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah as Minister for Defence. He received unanimous approval and confirmation by Parliament.
In office, he prioritized military welfare; revealed GH¢3.79 billion in hidden defence debts; advocated for regional fairness in military recruitment; launched recruitment plans for 12,000 new troops; and secured a €50 million EU
financed security support package.
As Defence Minister, he waged a credible, uncompromising and decisive campaign against Galamsey ensuring that military deployments achieved their objectives. A considerable number of forests were liberated from the Galamsey scourge.
As Minister of Defence, he was a distinguished member of the National Security Council chaired by President John Mahama and the Ghana Armed Forces Council chaired by Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
He was the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
He was also a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Publications
Dr. Omane Boamah is the author of “GETFund: A NUGS President’s Account” – A book focused on advocacy in funding education in Ghana (2004);
He also authored the yet to be published: “Professor John Evans Atta Mills — A Peaceful Man in An African Democracy” — the book is currently under review for posthumous publication.
He led the publication of “Accounting to the People, Changing Lives Transforming Ghana” – A book focused on the achievements of the Mahama-led Government of Ghana from 2013 to 2015. He was co-editor of a W.H.O. Ghana sponsored Students’ newsletter focused on preventive health- “The Outreach.”
Tragic end and Legacy
On 6th August 2025, Dr. Omane Boamah died in a devastating Ghana Armed Forces Z 9 helicopter crash near Adansi Akrofuom, en route to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining and responsible community mining event.
His tragic passing, along with seven other patriots: his colleague Cabinet Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Sqadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane
Twum Ampadu, Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah, plunged the nation into utter shock, unbearable grief and profound mourning.
He is fondly remembered as a versatile statesman: a physician, devout Catholic, policymaker, environmental steward, communications expert, political strategist, and devoted public servant. His legacy endures in the institutions and reforms he shaped, and in the lives he touched through dedicated service, compassion and integrity.
He encompassed all that a man should be: a loving husband, a caring father, a true patriot, a selfless Comrade, a loyal brother, and a trusted friend.
He was visionary, a thinker, problem-solver, re sourceful, diligent, forthright, generous, a strat egist, honest in all his dealings, a leader par ex cellence, and an extraordinary mentor to many young activists.
His golden legacy will live on.
We are in tears, broken and shattered but we can take solace in the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heav en, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up togeth er with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
Rest in the bosom of the Lord, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
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