As tributes continue to pour in following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Hon. Murtala Mohammed and other military officials, Ibrahim Alhassan IB, Head of the Political Desk at EIB Network, has delivered a moving tribute that paints a deeply human portrait of the late parliamentarian.
During a heartfelt segment on EIB Newsroom Live, Alhassan revealed that one of Murtala Mohammed’s most enduring qualities was his constant spiritual reminder to journalists working in Ghana’s Parliament.
Murtala always reminded us journalists in Parliament to be mindful of our Maker,” he said. “It wasn’t just something he said in passing. It was a theme of his life whether during heated debates, quiet moments in the corridors, or even informal banter. He never let us forget that we are answerable to a higher power.”
The late Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, known for his fiery debates, principled stands, and unapologetic honesty, was among those on board the ill-fated military helicopter that crashed near the Akyem Oda forest region. The incident, which has been described as one of the darkest days in Ghana’s recent political and military history, has thrown the country into deep mourning.
But beyond the official eulogies and political condolences, Ibrahim Alhassan’s tribute provides a rare glimpse into the man behind the microphone a legislator who, despite his strong political voice, carried a deep reverence for spirituality and morality.
In Parliament, you see all kinds of personalities some driven by ambition, others by duty. But Murtala stood out,” Alhassan said. “He wasn’t perfect, but he had a conscience. And he wanted us the journalists covering every word and movement to have one too.”
Colleagues from across the political divide have echoed similar sentiments in the wake of his passing. Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, described Murtala as “a voice of conscience in the chamber,” while Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson referred to him as “a man whose moral compass never wavered, even in the fiercest storms of politics.”
Murtala Mohammed was known for holding government institutions accountable, challenging executive overreach, and advocating for transparency. But according to those who knew him well, what truly defined him was his spiritual groundedness.
He reminded us that politics is temporary, power is fleeting, and only God is eternal,” Alhassan recounted. “He once told me, ‘I can argue all day on the floor, but when I kneel before God, I drop all the titles.’ That stayed with me.”
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has announced plans to honour Murtala Mohammed posthumously for his respectful and constructive relationship with the parliamentary press corps. According to the GJA President, his legacy will be remembered not just for political integrity, but for his humanity and humility.
As preparations for a national memorial continue, Alhassan’s tribute serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have not only on national discourse but on personal character.
He taught us that journalism wasn’t just about headlines and soundbites,” Alhassan concluded. “It was also about truth, humility, and the fear of God.”
In the echoing halls of Parliament now draped in black, and in the hearts of journalists who once lined the press gallery, the voice of Murtala Mohammed still whispers Be mindful of your Maker.”