Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi pays emotional tribute to late Dr. Omane Boamah

Former Minister of Education, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has penned a heartfelt tribute to the late Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, describing him as a once fierce adversary in student politics who later became a trusted son and friend.

Titled “From Tormentor to a Son – Fare Thee Well, Hon. Dr. Omane Boamah”, the tribute recounts their first encounters during heated debates over tertiary education financing when Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi served as Minister of Education under President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The former minister recalled that an unresolved issue from Hon. Harry Sawyer’s tenure — the financing of tertiary education, particularly the “cost sharing” policy — had reached a boiling point. As student leaders, including Hon. Edward Bawa and a young Omane Boamah, mounted strong resistance, the Ministry faced intense pressure.

“A massive student demonstration that charged the Ministry of Education was professionally de-escalated by COP Kofi Boakye, who was then at the Police Headquarters,” Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi recounted. “In the frontline was student Omane Boamah, firm in his convictions and unwavering in his advocacy.”

Despite the tense beginnings, their relationship grew beyond political and ideological divides. After graduating and becoming a physician, Dr. Boamah attended to Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s children, Nana Kufuor and Nana Darko, at the family’s Cantonments residence.

“Our relationship did not end when national political leadership changed hands in 2009,” the former minister noted. “Ideological differences did not separate us. My word of advice to him was always, ‘Ghana first, and don’t forget where you have come from.’”

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi described the late minister as a dedicated public servant, a compassionate medical doctor, and a friend whose loyalty transcended political lines.

In closing his tribute, he wrote:

“My son, Fare thee well.”

Read the statement

Tribute By Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Former Minister of Education, Former MP of Techiman North and Minister for Ports and Habours.

From “ Tormentor” to a Son” 

Fare thee well, Hon Doctor Omane Boamah.

Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi.

In 2021, I had been put in charge of the Ministry of  Education by His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor. I had been invoked with Student Aggitations as an Admistrator playing deputy to Prof S.K. Adjepong at UCC. Unfortunately, an issue that had taken a centre stage during Hon Harry Sawyer’s tenure had not subsided in the least. This was “Financing of Tertiary Education”.  “Cost Sharing” at the university level featured prominently in recommendation to address the issue.

 I recall the role  played by student leaders, notably the Hon Haruna Iddrisu and his team. As the Director General of GES, I only followed discussions on the matter tangentially. In 2021, I got immersed in it fully. Then, I had to fully confront the issue. I met a very uncompromising student leadership led by Hon Edward Bawa. A massive student demonstration that charged the Ministry of Education was professionally de-escalated by COP Kofi Boakye, who was then operating from the Police Headquarters.

In the frontline was student Omane Boamah. The other side of the equation was the Commitee of Vice-Chncellors, supportive of the policy. Managing the situation was extremely challenging. Meeting with my peers, indeed my former bosses, was a very interesting experience.we deliberated over the concept of “Student Loan” before I left the Ministry of Education, and he became the NUGS President.

But our relationship did not end with our changes in roles.

After graduating, he maintained contact. Now, as a physician, he attended to our two boys, Nana Kufuor and Nana Darko, at our residence at Cantonments.

Our relationship did not end when National political leadership changed hands in 2009.Ideological differences did not separe us.

In my congratulatory messages to him as he traversed the political landscape, my word of advice to him was, “Ghana First and don’t forget where you have come from”

My son, Fare thee Well.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com