The crash, which claimed eight lives—including senior government officials and military personnel—has been widely described as a national tragedy. In its aftermath, the government has directed that national flags fly at half-mast in honour of the deceased.

Appearing on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, August 6, Quashigah shared emotional reflections on his personal and academic relationship with the two fallen ministers, recounting their vibrant days at the University of Ghana, where they played active roles in student leadership and politics.

He recalled how both Omane Boamah and Murtala Muhammed collaborated closely during their university years and transitioned seamlessly into public service with the same commitment and drive.

When asked whether the two were among the most outstanding student leaders of their time—later emerging as exemplary figures in national governance—he responded emphatically:

“Yes,” adding, “both men served the university community with distinction and carried that dedication into national service.”

Visibly emotional during the interview, Quashigah described the loss as deeply personal and emotionally overwhelming.

“I’m broken. I don’t even know how I’m mastering the strength to speak to you through this medium,” he said. “Although I’m very sad and troubled, I feel like I have an opportunity to pay my last tribute to a great friend [Murtala] for close to two decades.”

Reflecting on their political legacy, he noted that the two men symbolised a generation of leadership that followed notable student figures like Haruna Iddrisu and Nii Dorwuna.

“If you say that these people represented the period after the leadership of Haruna Iddrisu and Nii Dorwuna, I think you’re right. It was a new crop of student leaders who came up. Murtala’s progress is a reflection of the quality we possessed at the time.”

According to Quashigah, both Omane Boamah and Murtala Muhammed embodied the ideals of student leadership and national service, translating their campus activism into impactful roles in government.

He also offered a deeply personal reflection on Murtala Muhammed’s devotion to family, highlighting conversations they shared over the years.

“Murtala was a family man; he always had good thoughts about his wife. Some he discussed with me and wanted his wife to do, and all that. It’s really hard,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, authorities have cleared the remains of the victims from the crash site for forensic examination and identification, as investigations into the cause of the incident continue.

The confirmed list of casualties includes:

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

Sergeant Leader -Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer -Manin Twum-Ampadu

Sergeant -Ernest Addo Mensah

The list was confirmed by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who described the incident as a national tragedy.