At the final state funeral held at Black Star Square on Friday, August 15, Mrs. Rita Omane Boamah, widow of the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, delivered a deeply moving tribute to her husband, who was among the eight Ghanaians killed in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
Her words, read on her behalf, recalled a question her husband often asked: “Abena Rita, what will you do when I am not around?” a question, she admitted with sorrow, that she had never been able to answer.
Reflecting on their early days, she spoke of their first meeting on a medical school bus despite not being a medical student herself and the life they built together, a journey she described as rich with love, laughter, and long evening walks.
She portrayed Dr. Omane Boamah as not only a dedicated public servant but also a devoted family man.
“You were a loving and perfect father,” she said, noting how he still made time for their children despite his demanding schedule as a doctor and politician. From bathing the children in the mornings to helping with their studies, he remained their favourite teacher, mastering their school syllabus and guiding them through both work and play.
With emotion, she vowed to carry on his legacy: “With God’s help, I will care for mummy and our three children, trusting that you will be watching over us from above.”
She ended with words of gratitude: “Kofi B, thank you for loving me, thank you for loving the children, thank you for embracing my family and everyone who crossed your path. Rest in power, my love.”
Dr. Omane Boamah’s passing, alongside that of seven others, sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond.
