Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that several of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) flagship health sector policies were inspired by the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
Speaking on The Point of View programme on Monday, August 11, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa recounted Dr. Omane Boamah’s behind-the-scenes role as a chief strategist for former President John Mahama during the NDC’s opposition years from 2017 to 2024.
“Many people do not know that a lot of the promises in the NDC manifesto when it comes to the health sector are his thoughts,” Mr. Ablakwa revealed.
He highlighted initiatives such as free primary health care and the MahamaCares programme, stressing that these ideas were postulated by Dr. Omane Boamah and received widespread public approval.
“He became a strong strategist for President Mahama throughout the opposition period,” Mr. Ablakwa added.
Dr. Omane Boamah, widely respected for his policy acumen, died tragically in the August 6 military helicopter crash, leaving what Mr. Ablakwa described as a legacy of “policy innovation and political strategy” that continues to shape the NDC’s vision.
The fatal crash in the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of eight people, including Dr. Omane Boamah; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC.
Also on board were three Ghana Armed Forces crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the Z-9 helicopter departed Accra at 09:12 GMT for Obuasi on an anti-illegal mining mission but went “off the radar” mid-flight. A search-and-rescue mission later confirmed that all eight occupants had perished.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
