The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) dedicates this edition of its 2nd Trimester 2025 Newsletter to the memory of Hon. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister for Defence and Chair of the KAIPTC Governing Board (February – August 2025), whose untimely passing on 6th August 2025, left the nation and the peace and security community in deep mourning.
Dr. Omane Boamah’s sudden demise in a tragic helicopter crash came as a profound shock, especially to the KAIPTC family, which had hosted him only two weeks’ prior, during his maiden official visit to the Centre. His visit on July 23, 2025, was marked by a strong reaffirmation of government’s commitment to supporting the Centre’s work as a vital national and regional hub for training, research and policy development in peace and security.
During that visit, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized the critical role of evidence-based data produced by KAIPTC in shaping Ghana’s security policies. He highlighted the Centre’s immense value not just for Ghana but for the entire sub-region and said the government and military high command will continue to depend on KAIPTC’s training, research and expertise to inform security policy and action.
Dr. Omane Boamah during the visit also pledged government’s support in addressing the Centre’s infrastructure and sustainability challenges and assured management and staff of KAIPTC that resources would be mobilised to retool the Centre and strengthen its long-term impact.
Welcoming him to the KAIPTC, the Acting Commandant, Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, expressed optimism that financial support from government of Ghana will better position KAIPTC to meet evolving peace and security challenges.
The Minister’s untimely passing has left a deep void within the KAIPTC and nation at large. He was not only a Cabinet Minister and statesman, but also a dependable ally and visionary leader who sought to position the Centre as a continental beacon of excellence.
The KAIPTC extends its deepest condolences to his family and the families of the other government officials and Ghana Armed Forces personnel who also lost their lives in the crash.