“His Laughter Still Lives With Us” – Widow Pays Emotional Tribute to Flight Sergeant Addo Mensah at Helicopter Crash Memorial
Credit: myjoyonline
The wife of the late Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah has paid a moving tribute to her husband and the seven other victims of the August 6, 2025, Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash, saying the pain of their loss remains as profound today as it was a year ago.
Speaking on behalf of her family during the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Thursday, August 6, she reflected on the difficult journey of grief, healing and remembrance over the past 12 months.
She said the tragedy had left an irreplaceable void in their lives, describing her husband as a man whose infectious optimism, kindness and sense of humour brought comfort to everyone around him.
“We stand here today with hearts that still remember, still mourn and still honour the life of our beloved husband, son and brother, Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
“Today, we stand 12 months removed from a tragedy that still feels painfully near—a day that completely altered our lives as a family.
“I, for one, have never known a person more optimistic than Ernest. You could hardly remain sad around him. He would crack jokes and laugh at them more than you would. And before long, you would find yourself smiling and forgetting the burden that had troubled you.”
Recalling the lasting impact of his personality, she said although Ernest was no longer physically present, the memories of his laughter, love and unwavering positivity continued to inspire the family every day.
She noted that while the pain of losing him had not disappeared, the family had found strength in the overwhelming support and compassion shown by friends, colleagues, the Ghana Armed Forces and well-wishers throughout the past year.
She also expressed heartfelt appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for honouring the memory of the fallen officers and standing with their families during their period of mourning. She further thanked the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces for its continued care, encouragement and support.
“As we honour the memory of the eight fallen heroes, we choose to remember not the tragedy that took them from us, but the lives they lived, the love they had for their families, their dedication to duty and the values they carried with honour,” she said.
She urged Ghanaians to preserve the legacy of the deceased by embracing the ideals of selfless service, sacrifice, integrity and compassion that defined their lives and military careers.
The National Inter-Faith Memorial Service brought together government officials, religious leaders, traditional authorities, senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, bereaved families and other dignitaries to mark the first anniversary of the tragic crash.
The eight servicemen lost their lives on August 6, 2025, when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while on an official assignment from Accra. The memorial formed part of nationwide activities commemorating the victims of one of Ghana’s deadliest military aviation disasters and celebrating their enduring legacy of patriotism and service to the nation.
