The news of the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which claimed the life of my dear friend and Ghana’s Honourable Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has left me deeply shaken. The loss of such a visionary leader—alongside Ghana’s Defence Minister, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah—is a devastating blow to our continent.

Murtala was more than a public servant; he was a steadfast friend, a passionate innovator, and a man whose vision for Africa’s future was boundless. I will never forget his presence at the launch of the Sankore Project in Nigeria, and Raw Materials Research & Development Council event—his words carried the weight of hope and the power of possibility.

His journey, from educator to parliamentarian, from Deputy Minister to a champion of environmental stewardship and technological advancement, stands as a testament to what true African leadership looks like. He believed deeply in homegrown innovation, inclusive governance, and the unbreakable bond between our nations.

For me, this loss is personal. We shared not just policies and projects, but dreams of a continent where science and innovation could lift millions out of poverty and shape a brighter future. His passing leaves a void, but his legacy will continue to guide us.

To the Government and people of Ghana, and to his family, I extend my deepest condolences. May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this loss, and may Murtala’s soul rest in perfect peace.

Rest well, my brother. Your work lives on, and Africa will remember you.