- Dr Omane Boamah was more than just a politician and medical doctor; he was a passionate football enthusiast
- He once criticised Arsenal for not signing a striker after last season’s Champions League semi-final loss to PSG
- The late Defence Minister was among the eight lives tragically lost in a helicopter crash in Obuasi on August 6
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s late Minister of Defence, was known as qualified medical doctor, a respected politician, and less prominently, a football lover with deep passion for the sport.
His tragic passing on August 6, following a helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, left not just a vacuum in government but also in the hearts of many who admired his genuine love of football.
Source: Facebook
When Omane Boamah slammed Arsenal after UCL
One of the most memorable examples came when he publicly criticised his beloved Arsenal after their UEFA Champions League semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain last season.
In a Facebook post that went viral at the time, a frustrated Dr Boamah urged the English club to ‘get serious’, a rallying cry that echoed the feeling among Gunners fans at large.
For Dr Boamah, supporting Arsenal wasn’t just a pastime; it was personal.
The 2024/25 Premier League campaign was particularly painful, as the London side once again finished second and extended their title drought.
It was their third straight year ending as runners-up. For fans like the late politician, the absence of a clinical striker stood out like a sore thumb.
In what seemed like a response to those pleas, Arsenal acted, albeit belatedly, as captured in a post by Sky Sports News on X.
They brought in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in a high-profile transfer that reportedly cost the club €63 million, with an additional €10 million in performance-related bonuses, according to ESPN.
Though the Swedish forward is still waiting for his first goal for Arsenal in preseason, hopes are high for what he can bring to the table.
Sadly, Dr Boamah will never witness what Gyokeres could achieve. His unwavering faith in the Gunners won’t see the resolution it so desperately yearned for.
Beyond European football, the late minister’s heart also beat for the Ghana Premier League and he was a proud Asante Kotoko admirer.
Weeks before the tragic accident, he was seen at the Accra Sports Stadium, cheering as his team edged past Hearts of Oak to win the President’s Cup.
Recounting Dr Omane’s demise in helicopter crash
Dr Boamah, alongside Dr Murtala Mohammed, Ghana’s Minister for Environment, was part of a government delegation heading to Obuasi.
The group was en route to attend a special programme focused on combating illegal mining in the region on Wednesday, August 6.
Travelling aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter, their journey ended in tragedy when the aircraft crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
In the wake of the disaster, President John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning beginning August 7.
The Ghanaian leader also confirmed that all national flags would be flown at half-mast as the country grieves together.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, with authorities hoping to uncover answers in the coming days, according to Al Jazeera.
Sports Minister emotional at Dr Boamah’s home
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams was deeply shaken by the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
He was part of the government delegation that paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Dr Omane Boamah at his Eastern Region home.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
