By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revealed that the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, had strong reservations about using helicopters and had never boarded one since the current administration assumed office seven months ago.
“Ever since we came into office seven months ago, he has never used helicopters,” Muntaka said.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on August 11, 2025, the Minister recalled that Dr Boamah often warned him about the safety risks of helicopter travel, particularly when Muntaka used them for urgent trips.
Just a week before the crash, Muntaka was directed by the President to travel urgently to Tamale. When he informed Dr Boamah about his intention to use a helicopter, the late Defence Minister expressed his discomfort and recommended a larger, more stable aircraft such as the Casa, which can carry over 40 passengers.
Muntaka recounted Dr Boamah’s words: “Your safety is more important than this cost that you are thinking about.”
Despite his reservations, Dr Boamah eventually boarded a helicopter for the first time under the current government to support the fight against illegal mining. Tragically, this decision led to his untimely death in the Sikaman helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of seven others, including the Minister for Environment, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Muntaka expressed his devastation, saying: “Despite all his reservations, despite the fact that he had never used it before, the first time he did, he never returned.”
He added that Dr Boamah’s commitment to the anti-galamsey campaign outweighed his personal fears, and his willingness to put duty above personal concerns ultimately led to his tragic demise.
