Naval Lieutenant Awura Adjoa Kumi-Kyere, the grieving wife of Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, delivered an emotional farewell to her late husband during the interdenominational state funeral for the eight servicemen who perished in the Sikaman helicopter crash.
Fighting back tears, she began with words that pierced the hearts of mourners gathered on Friday, August 15.
“Who would have thought that I would be standing here today, reading a tribute to you? Who could ever have imagined that death would separate us so quickly? Everyone looks at me and says how composed I am, but I can do this because of you and of our love.”
Recalling the depth of their bond, she shared how they met on his birthday in 2022 and how their love drew constant admiration. “People always commented that you loved me too much, but only you and I know the depth of what we had and shared.”
Her words carried the weight of shattered dreams. “What do I do without you, and how do I carry on alone from here? Manaen, you were truly your name to me. You were my best friend, my ‘gisting’ partner, my everything. We had so many plans, dreams and ideas that are now shattered.”
She spoke of the disbelief that still lingers. “Manaen, please respond and answer me, because this silence is too loud. Everything feels surreal, and I sometimes think you will walk in, and all this will be just a bad dream. How is this even happening? But I will tell your story, so the world knows who you are and who you were to me.”
Describing him as considerate, giving, fun, and a quiet source of strength, she expressed gratitude for his presence in her life. “My darling, thank you for blessing my life with your sweet presence and your ever-constant smile.”
Her farewell was sealed with a coded message of love and the promise of eternal remembrance: “My correct better half, my lover and my best friend, I hope you know I love you a lot more than these words can convey. I miss you… My forever and a day. Sleep well, my love. May the earth rest lightly on you. God be with you till we meet again.”
