Ghana Mourns: Biography Of Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was born on December 14, 1974 and was a prominent Ghanaian politician and public servant known for his competence and dedication.
He served as the Member of Parliament for the Tamale Central Constituency and held various ministerial positions.
Education
He began his education at St. Peter’s Primary School (Kulikuli School) in Tamale and continued at Ghana Senior High (GHANASCO).
He was a trained teacher with a Teacher’s Certificate A from Tamale College of Education (TACE).
His academic achievements also included a Master’s degree in evelopment Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, a master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghana.
Political and Professional Career
Early Career: He served as the General Secretary of the All-African Students Union (AASU) in 1999, focusing on educational reforms and youth engagement.
In 2009, he was appointed Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
Member of Parliament: He was first elected as MP for the Nanton Constituency in 2012, serving in the sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.
After a loss in 2016, he successfully contested and won the seat for the Tamale Central Constituency in 2020.
He was re-elected to this position in the 2024 elections.
Ministerial Roles
Under the John Mahama government, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations (2013-2017) and subsequently Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
In February 2025, he became the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Key Achievements in Tamale Central
During his time as MP for Tamale Central, Hon. Dr. Murtala Muhammed was credited with numerous projects, including
Education: Renovating schools, providing free classes and supplies for students, establishing a tertiary education support fund, and introducing a mobile library.
Healthcare: Awarding scholarships for medical students, providing medical equipment, and constructing three health facilities.
Infrastructure: Developing inner-city roads in areas like Changli and Gumbihini, and drilling 80 mechanized boreholes.
Community Development: Securing hundreds of jobs for constituents, providing financial support for women entrepreneurs, and facilitating the construction of an artificial turf field.
Crash
A GAF helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, in Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
It also claimed the lives of Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General, NADMO, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manden Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
