Early Life and Faith
Born on December 26, 1975, at Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital, Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was the son of the late Mr. Edward Kwame Omane and Madam Leticia Asante (known as Sister Abena). His roots traced to Koforidua Effiduase on his mother’s side and Kwahu Obomeng on his father’s.
Baptised at St. George’s Catholic Church in Koforidua, he grew up in a home anchored in Catholic values – discipline, humility, service, and devotion to God. As a boy, he served as an altar boy, rose to become President of the Knights of St. John Cadet Corps (Koforidua Chapter), and was active in the Boy Scouts.
Education and Student Leadership
Dr. Omane Boamah’s academic path began at Koforidua Experimental Basic School. He attended Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary from 1989 to 1996, where he became Secretary of the School Representative Council. In this role, he helped push for fairer fee policies and improved student conditions.
His strong performance in Biology led him to teach the subject at Benkum Senior High School during his National Service. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana in 2006, completing an elective at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2018, he gained a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
While at university, he led the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in 2002, pressing government to comply with the GETFund Act. His activism also extended to the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association, where he was Coordinating Secretary. His volunteer work included medical rescue during the May 9, 2001 stadium disaster and immunisation campaigns in Asuogyaman District.
Marriage and Family Life
On September 2, 2006 – his bride’s birthday – he married Rita Adubea Offei, a Chartered Accountant and Development Finance Professional. The couple shared a deep Christian faith and raised three children, Akua, Ama, and Yaw, in a loving and nurturing home.
Medical Career and Humanitarian Service
Between 2006 and 2008, Dr. Omane Boamah worked at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Bob Freeman Clinic, and the 37 Military Hospital. His leadership skills were recognised early when he became President of the Junior Doctors’ Association in 2006.
He balanced medicine and public service, returning to hospital practice in 2017 at Afrah International Hospital after ministerial duties. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation for compassion, skill, and advocacy for vulnerable communities.
Political Career and Governance
His public life began in student politics and evolved through activism with the Committee for Joint Action and the Free Tsatsu Movement.
From 2009 to 2012, as Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, he oversaw initiatives such as the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS) and the Free Laptops for Students and Teachers programme. He chaired investigations into major environmental incidents, including the Kenyase sodium cyanide spillage (2010) and the Jubilee Field oil mud spillage (2011), and championed nationwide tree-planting efforts.
He served briefly as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports (2012–2013) before being appointed Minister for Communications in 2013. His tenure saw the rollout of 4G LTE for security services, creation of the National Data Centre, expansion of fibre optic infrastructure, and the establishment of Ghana’s first National Computer Emergency Response Team. From 2014 to 2017, he was also Presidential Spokesperson.
Internationally, he represented Ghana at UN, cybersecurity, and climate change conferences, and served as Vice Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development.
NDC Leadership and Minister of Defence
In opposition (2017–2024), Dr. Omane Boamah served as Policy Advisor to former President Mahama. As the NDC’s first Director of Elections and IT, he introduced new reforms including an exam for polling agents and a manual on elections, helping prepare the party for the 2024 elections.
Appointed Minister for Defence in January 2025, he uncovered GH¢3.79 billion in hidden debts, pursued fair regional recruitment, secured funding for security operations, and intensified anti-galamsey military operations to protect forests.
Publications
He authored GETFund: A NUGS President’s Account (2004) and led the production of Accounting to the People, Changing Lives Transforming Ghana. His unpublished manuscript on President John Evans Atta Mills is under review for posthumous release.
Death
On August 6, 2025, Dr. Omane Boamah lost his life in a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in Adansi Akrofrom, Ashanti Region, alongside seven others, including fellow ministers, senior officials, and military personnel.
