Ablakwa: Late Defence Minister Omane Boamah Had Mahama’s Full Backing to Deploy Military Against Galamsey

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has praised the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, for his unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal mining, revealing that he enjoyed the full support of President John Mahama to deploy the military against galamsey operators.

Speaking on The Point of View on Monday, August 11, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa described Dr. Omane Boamah as a visionary leader whose determination could have transformed Ghana’s battle against illegal mining.

“We have really lost people who had so much potential to change the destiny of our country,” he said. “I have no doubt Dr. Omane Boamah would have solved this galamsey crisis.”

Mr. Ablakwa recalled private conversations with the late minister, in which he insisted on deploying troops without yielding to political pressure.

“He told me, ‘The military will be deployed. I’m getting calls — sometimes from top political figures — but I’m not yielding. These troops are risking their lives, and I won’t cut political deals. I won’t be part of that,’” Ablakwa recounted.

According to him, Dr. Omane Boamah’s firm stance was fully endorsed by President Mahama. “President Mahama said, ‘You have my full blessings, go ahead!’” he noted.

Dr. Omane Boamah was among eight people who died in the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region. The victims also included Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the Z-9 helicopter, carrying five passengers and three crew members, went off radar shortly after departing Accra at 09:12 GMT for Obuasi, where the officials were scheduled to attend an anti-illegal mining event. A search-and-rescue operation later confirmed that all eight aboard had died.