Ursula Wematu Asaghedewe, widow of the late Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, delivered a deeply emotional tribute to her husband on Friday, August 15, during the interdenominational state funeral held in honour of the eight distinguished individuals who lost their lives in the recent Sikaman helicopter crash.
Opening her tribute with a verse from Ecclesiastes 3, Ursula expressed her disbelief over her husband’s untimely death. “The Bible says… there is a time to be born and a time to die… But Peter, this is not the time the Bible spoke about,” she said.
Affectionately calling him “Bafemi,” she described him as her “answered prayer” and a man of unmatched dedication to both his family and his work. “Peter told me that he would never allow me to lift a finger because he would lift both hands for us… I have not had to struggle for anything,” she recounted.
She recalled how he was a pillar of support, not only to her but to friends and loved ones, always willing to sacrifice for others. Two months before his passing, Peter had been by her side in the delivery room for the birth of their daughter, Wenlie Wesoamo Anala.
“Ahh, Bafemi, I expected you to stay with me for at least a month… but for the love you had for our country, you had only just a week to spend with us. Now I know why Wenlie was holding you back from returning to Ghana,” she said.
With raw emotion, Ursula shared the pain of losing him so soon after the birth of their child. “Eiiiiii, God! What am I going to tell her in a few years when she starts asking for her father? How do I explain that the hardships she is about to face… were not the life we planned for her?” she lamented.
She recalled his loving daily video messages and how his final words to her were, “My love, I will call you back when we are back in Accra. Love youuuu.”
“This was not the plan, Peter. This was not it! Bafemi, please come back. Please tell me this was all a terrible nightmare,” she cried.
Concluding her tribute, Ursula said, “I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you, and I certainly cannot wait for that glorious reunion… Bafemi, my love, journey well. I love you.”
