Abla Dzifa Gomashie is the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has shared her last encounter with the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed before his sudden death.
In a post shared on Facebook on August 6, 2025, Abla Dzifa Gomashie noted that her last interaction with the late Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation was a day before his death, where the two teased each other.
Dzifa Gomashie explained how the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed used to tease her, referring to her as an old lady who had refused to grow.
“…I saw the guests off, and just as I was going back to my office, I heard my name. I knew that voice, so as I turned, I said his name too. He did what he has been doing to me in parliament; tease me about being an old lady who has refused to grow old or age.
“He would usually follow it up with a big smile, saying “Come on’ while shaking his head. Most people in parliament know this is how he always greets me. Murtala Mohammed has done this to me every single day since I joined him in parliament,” she said.
Dzifa Gomashie further added how she had anticipated hosting the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed in her constituency due to her upcoming WACA project.
“Yesterday, I hugged him while telling him I am waiting for the opportunity to host him in Ketu South to start the WACA project. Lawyer Akon Baba looked on in admiration as he replied with his signature laughter,” she wrote.
The Minister of Tourism also shared her heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families of the eight persons who lost their lives in the helicopter crash.
“I am recovering from the shock of this horrible news. Where is my God, where is my God, where is my God in whom I trust. Lord, eight of my compatriots at a go? Eight young people?
“I beseech thee, lord, to comfort H.E. John Dramani Mahama, their parents, wives, loved ones, family, friends, and Ghana. We are mourning. We are grieving. We are traumatised,” she added.
Background
On August 6, 2025, a military helicopter carrying three military officers and government officials on a national assignment crashed en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) at Black Park, near the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium in the Ashanti Region.
The fatal incident claimed the lives of:
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence;
Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment;
Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator;
Samuel Sarpong, former Central Regional Minister; and
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate.
The helicopter’s crew also perished in the crash. They included:
Flying Officer Twum-Ampadu
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Read the post by Dzifa Gomashie below:
JHM/AE
Watch as Ghana Armed Forces prepares to receive remains of 8 killed in helicopter crash;
