Tribute by the Ministry of Environment, Technology and Innovation to Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
It is with profound grief and heavy hearts that the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology and its sector agencies mourn the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved Honourable Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (MP).
We join the nation today in mourning the demise of an astute politician, a scholar, and an activist for sustainable environmental management, science, and technology.
At midday, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Management received with shock and disbelief news of the passing of our beloved Minister, together with the Defence Minister and six others in a military helicopter crash while on national assignment.
This tragedy has robbed the Ministry of a leader, a development enthusiast, and a father.
Hon. Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed assumed duty in February 2025 with a vision to build a robust and sustainable environmental management, scientific research and technology ecosystem.
The Hon. Minister was passionate about policy development. Within the first half
of the year, 2025, he personally saw to the development and completion of key policy
documents such as the review of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Implementation of the Adoption of Electric Vehicle Initiative among others that have
received Cabinet approval.
He was a passionate advocate for sustainable environmental development, science, and technology and at the least opportunity whether with development partners, civil
society organisations, traditional leaders, religious groups, or others, he made a strong
case for these areas as pillars of sustainable national development for our dear nation.
His aspiration for a greener future for generations unborn inspired his “One Child, One Tree” project, launched on the World Environment Day celebrations held in
June 2025, which aims to foster environmental awareness, particularly among children and
the public to see tree planting as a moral duty and a responsibility.
He was instrumental in shaping policies on climate change adaptation and mitigation, plastics waste reduction, biodiversity conservation and responsible natural resource management.
He advocated for stronger inter-ministerial and agency collaboration to address Ghana’s
environmental challenges.
Even in death, he reminds us of the need for government institutions to collaborate with one another, as well as with other partners and stakeholders.
To him, this was essential if we were to promote environmental stewardship and
achieve sustainable development.
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was more than a Minister; he was a great mentor whose
influence extended far beyond his official duties, leading and inspiring staff through
the various collaborations he forged with key partners in the sector.
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed had an open-door policy, receiving everyone from
high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens with the same warmth and respect. He would
often say with a smile, “I don’t have a door.”
His demise is a tremendous loss to MEST, Ghana, and the African continent, particularly
in the area of Environment, Science, and Technology leadership. At the recent July
2025 Africa Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi, his strong voice for environmental sustainability earned him widespread admiration and led to his
election to the AMCEN Bureau.
He was also set to lead the Africa Group of Negotiators’ ministerial participation at the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
meeting in Geneva.
As we mourn this irreplaceable loss, we must also honour Dr. Muhammed’s memory by
continuing the work he began.
His vision for a more sustainable, technologically advanced Ghana must not perish with him. We owe it to his memory and to the seven other souls who perished alongside him, to carry forward the programmes and initiatives he championed.
Our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family and the entire nation, especially
the people of Tamale Central whom he so faithfully represented in Parliament.
The Ministry stands with you in this moment of sorrow, united in honouring the life and legacy of this remarkable statesman.
May the soul of Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed rest in eternal peace, and may his
family, friends, and colleagues find solace in knowing that he died as he lived in dedicated
service to his beloved Ghana.
We take comfort in the words of the Qur’an (2:156): “Indeed, we
belong to Allah, and to Allah we shall return.”
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
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