The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology (MEST), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, will be buried today according to Islamic tradition.

Political life

Dr Muhammed was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central in the Northern Region in the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments. 

He came to the political limelight when he was appointed the Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) by former President John Evans Atta Mills.

He held that position until he was elected MP for Nanton in the 2012 Elections. After serving one term, he lost the seat in 2016.

President John Dramani Mahama appointed Dr Muhammed as Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, and subsequently, Trade and Industry from 2013 to 2017.

Following the decision of the former MP for Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, not to contest the Tamale Central seat in the 2020 elections, Dr Muhammed switched camp to the area and won the seat in 2020 and 2024.

For over a decade, he was one of the formidable voices in the NDC communication team. 

Education

Born on December 14, 1974, Dr Muhammed attended Ghana Senior High (GHANASCO), Tamale. He is a trained teacher who holds a teacher's Certificate “A” from the Tamale College of Education (TACE).

He also holds a Master's degree in Development Planning and International Relations and Diplomacy from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana respectively.

He has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Mount Crest University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Ghana.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science. His doctoral thesis is titled: “The Committee System of the Parliament of Ghana's Fourth Republic: An Assessment.”

Dr Muhammed was a Muslim and married with three children.

Shock

Mohammed Fugu reports from Tamale that a wave of shock and profound sorrow has swept through the Tamale Central Constituency, and for that matter, the Northern Region, following the tragic death of Dr Muhammed.

The heartbreaking news had plunged party members, sympathisers, and the entire community into a state of mourning, with many people gathering at the party office, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of a man they described as a "dedicated servant, humble leader, and a champion of the people".

The NDC Tamale Central Constituency Communication Officer, Umar Abdul Razak, described Dr Murtala's death as a monumental loss to the entire nation.

"I believe that Murtala would be pardoned by Almighty Allah because he was a practising Muslim. He died on national duty,” he said.

Mr Razak recounted how earlier in the day, the MP had tasked him to inform constituency elders about a planned sod-cutting ceremony for a new health facility, assuring him he would return later that evening to finalise arrangements.

He added that the MP had sent him money to settle hospital bills for some party members earlier that morning — a final act of kindness that reflected Dr Murtala’s deep commitment to the welfare of his people.

A constituent, Mohammed Musah, also described the late MP as a very kind person to all, irrespective of party affiliation.

"Many people depend on him for school fees and medical bills,” he said.

Moments after the announcement of the incident, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, led a delegation to inform the family about the tragic demise of the MP.

Hundreds of people have since gathered at the family house of the late MP to mourn with them.