Accra: The mood at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Innovation was solemn and subdued on Wednesday afternoon following the tragic demise of its sector Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad. The Minister and seven others, including Dr. Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defense, perished in a helicopter crash earlier that morning.
According to Ghana News Agency, the day had begun with intermittent rain as a cloudy sky loomed over the ministry's administrative block, with its dull grey tones reflecting the heavy grief hanging in the air. At the main entrance, a Ghana flag fluttered at half-mast, and a black ribbon was tied around the ministry's crest above the gate, announcing the tragic death. The inner corridors were unusually quiet, with staff moving about in muted tones, many with sorrow etched across their faces. Routine greetings were replaced by silent nods and whispers. The reception area, typically alive with footsteps and conversation, was hushed, broken only by the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional ring of a distant phone.
Since assuming office, Dr. Muhammad had spearheaded a number of innovative policies aimed at transforming the Ministry's role in environmental governance and science promotion. Among his most notable initiatives was the 'One Child, One Tree' campaign, which placed children at the heart of Ghana's reforestation efforts. He also championed the establishment of the Biannual Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Forum, an ambitious platform for shaping environmental and science policy discourse. He had further expressed intentions to collaborate with the Attorney General's Department to establish fast-track courts to expeditiously address environmental offenses. At his vetting, Dr. Muhammad had passionately outlined plans to improve solid waste management, opening up the sector to broader participation to improve efficiency and sustainability.
News of his passing shocked many, including his colleagues at the Ministry. Mrs. Emelyne Wright-Hanson, the Focal Person for the Convention on Biological Diversity at MESTI, described the late Minister as 'affable, gentle, and down-to-earth.' 'Our Minister drives himself and doesn't use a siren. That's how humble he was,' she said, holding back tears. 'I just saw him yesterday-we used the lift together.'
Born on December 14, 1974, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad was a Pan-Africanist, a seasoned Ghanaian politician, and sitting Member of Parliament for Tamale Central in the Northern Region. He previously represented the Nanton Constituency and held various government portfolios, including Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations and later, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry during President John Dramani Mahama's first administration. Dr. Muhammad was an alumnus of Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) and Tamale College of Education (TACE), where he trained as a teacher. He later earned a Master's degree in Development Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and another in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana.
He began his political career as Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in 2009. After winning the Nanton parliamentary seat in 2012, he served until 2016. Following a brief electoral setback, he returned to Parliament in 2020, winning the Tamale Central seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and was re-elected in 2024. In the current Parliament, Dr. Muhammad served on both the Public Accounts Committee and the Trade and Industry Committee. His political journey was marked by a deep commitment to public service, youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, and national development. His sudden passing has left a void not only in the Ministry but across the broader political landscape.
As Ghana mourns a dedicated public servant, colleagues and constituents alike remember Dr. Murtala Muhammad not just for his vision, but for his humility, drive, and enduring legacy.
