The widow of the late Flying Officer Twum Ampadu has described the past year as one of profound grief and emotional hardship for the families of the eight victims who lost their lives in Ghana’s military helicopter crash, saying the pain of their loss remains as real today as it was a year ago.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved widows at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service marking the first anniversary of the tragedy, Naval Lieutenant Ewuradwoa Kumi-Kyeremeh recounted the difficult journey the families have endured since the fatal crash.
She said the loss of their husbands had left an immeasurable void, making the past twelve months long, painful and emotionally exhausting.
“On behalf of the other seven women who lost their husbands, I can say that the past year has been long, painful and extremely challenging,” she said.
According to Lieutenant Kumi-Kyeremeh, coming to terms with the reality of their loved ones’ deaths has been one of the most difficult aspects of the grieving process, as cherished memories continue to contrast with the painful reality of their absence.
She shared a deeply personal moment during a recent military event when an aviation distress call unexpectedly brought back memories of the crash.
Recalling the incident, she said hearing the words “Mayday, Mayday” instantly filled her with fear and led her to wonder whether those were the final words her husband and the other victims heard before the helicopter went down.
The naval officer also spoke about the everyday reminders of her husband’s absence, explaining that she still instinctively reaches for her phone to share moments with him before remembering he is no longer there.
Despite the immense pain, she said her faith in God has remained her greatest source of strength, helping her navigate the difficult months following the tragedy.
Lieutenant Kumi-Kyeremeh expressed gratitude to the Presidency, the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, serving and retired military personnel, defence civilian staff, relatives, friends and religious leaders for the support they have extended to the bereaved families over the past year.
She noted that their compassion, encouragement and prayers had played a vital role in helping the families cope with their loss.
She also revealed that she has devoted time to supporting the other widows affected by the tragedy, offering encouragement and helping them find the strength to rebuild their lives.
Encouraging others who are grieving, she said healing is a gradual process and urged those experiencing loss to remain hopeful, assuring them that although grief never completely disappears, it becomes easier to carry with time.
Quoting Japanese author Haruki Murakami, she urged people to honour the memories of departed loved ones by continuing to live meaningful and purposeful lives.
She concluded with a prayer that Ghana would never again witness a tragedy of such magnitude.
