Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah, the widow of the late Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, delivered an emotional tribute to her husband on Friday, August 15, during an interdenominational state funeral.
Dr. Omane Boamah was among eight individuals who tragically died in a helicopter crash on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofrom District of the Ashanti Region while en route to launch the government’s Cooperative Mining Initiative.
In her tribute, Mrs. Omane Boamah affectionately called her husband “Kofi B!” and spoke of their destined connection, which began on a medical school bus. She described their relationship as one of love and adventure, centered on simple moments like their frequent walks to buy kenkey and fish.
She highlighted his role as a loving and perfect father to their three children, emphasizing his dedication despite a demanding schedule. She recalled how he was their favorite teacher and had a strict study timetable for them, balanced with time for play and adventure.
Mrs. Omane Boamah noted that he was the “exact replica” of her father and a true family man with a “pure heart of gold.” Mrs. Omane Boamah shared a poignant detail: her husband would often ask what she would do when he was not around, a question she never answered and still doesn’t have an answer for.
She concluded by promising to care for his mother and their three children, believing he would be “looking down on us to guide us through from the heavens.” The other victims of the crash included Minister for Environment Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Deputy NADMO Director-General Samuel Aboagye, and three Air Force personnel: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Below is the full tribute from Dr. Omane Boamah’s wife, Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah:
It is well, it is well
With my soul, with my soul,
It is well, it is well
With my soul.
Kofi B! as I affectionately called you! We were destined to be together! Though I was not a medical student, fate brought us together on that fateful day when I boarded the medical school bus.
Our friendship started and was nothing short of love and adventure. Our night walks from my home to buy kenkey and fish, and vice versa.
I always looked forward to visiting you in school so we would embark on our walk to buy kenkey and fish. Thus, buying and eating kenkey together became our hallmark. I have no doubt you would be a loving and perfect father of our children.
In fact, I saw a father in you because you were the exact replica of my father. You also confirmed that when you met my dad, the first time. You knew that you had a partner for life.
You were truly God sent. Your commitment and love were such that when you proposed, we got married on my birthday, and we have always had a double celebration on my birthdays, and I was hoping the same for this year too.
