Muntaka recounts Dr Omane Boamah’s reluctant helicopter flight and tragic death

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has shared details of the late Dr Edward Omane Boamah’s deep reservations about using helicopters, a mode of transport he boarded for the first time under the current administration, only days before the crash that claimed his life.

Dr Boamah was among eight people who perished in the Sikaman helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6. The victims included Minister for Environment Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, Deputy NADMO Director-General Samuel Aboagye, and three military officers.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 11, Muntaka revealed that just a week before the fatal crash, he had a personal exchange with Dr Boamah about helicopter travel.

According to him, the President had urgently dispatched him to Tamale on official business, prompting him to request a military helicopter. In the process, he spoke with the Air Force commander, who was well aware of Dr Boamah’s discomfort with helicopters.

“The week before the incident, the President asked me to go to Tamale for something urgent. I called the Air Force commander and asked him to prepare the helicopter for the journey. Normally, if it’s over the weekend, we use it and afterwards document it for the records.”

Muntaka recalled that the request sparked a sharp response from the commander.

“He said, ‘Muntaka, I don’t know what is wrong with you. Why are you using this helicopter? I’ve told you I’m not comfortable with this, why not use the cater?’”.

The Minister said he questioned the logic of using a larger, more stable military aircraft capable of carrying over 40 passengers for a small team of two.

“I said it would be a waste,” he admitted. “But the late Defence Minister replied, ‘Your safety is more important than the cost you’re thinking about.’”

It was that same sentiment, Muntaka noted, that later led Dr Boamah to board a helicopter for the first time, a decision made reluctantly but with determination.

“But because of the fight against galamsey, he was ready to board the helicopter,” Muntaka said.

Despite his apprehension, Dr Boamah joined the mission in support of the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining.

“Despite all his reservations, despite the fact that he had never used it before, the first time he did, he never returned,” Muntaka lamented.

The Interior Minister said Dr Boamah’s commitment to the anti-galamsey campaign outweighed his personal fears.

“You understand why some of us are broken. You understand why we are devastated. We knew how uncomfortable he was with the heli, he made it clear. But he gave the President his word that he would give everything to this fight,” Muntaka concluded.

MyJoyOnline