The wife of the late Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Mercy Amoah, has encouraged families who have lost loved ones to hold firmly to their faith and draw strength from hope, despite the pain of grief.
She made the appeal while delivering the family reflections at the National Interfaith Memorial Service held on Thursday, August 6, to mark one year since the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians.
Mrs Amoah acknowledged that the past year had been one of immense sorrow but said her faith in God had sustained her through the difficult journey.
She expressed gratitude to the Presidency, the Military High Command, serving and retired military officers, defence civilian staff, family members and friends for the support they had extended to her since the tragedy.
According to her, overcoming grief requires the support of a strong community.
“It truly takes a village when it comes to grief and grieving,” she said, adding that the prayers and encouragement she received from religious leaders had been a great source of comfort.
Offering words of hope to others experiencing similar loss, Mrs Amoah said healing may take time, but the burden of grief would not remain the same forever.
“To everyone who may be in such a situation right now, I pray that you can look at me and find hope that this is an ending and not the ultimate end. It may not get any better soon, but it will not always be this heavy,” she said.
The memorial service marked the first anniversary of the August 6, 2025, Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while the victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region on official duty.
Those who lost their lives were Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and three Ghana Air Force personnel — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The one-year commemoration brought together bereaved families, government officials, religious leaders and members of the public to honour the lives, service and sacrifices of the eight victims.
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