Ghana's NADMO Deputy Director-General's Widow Urges Action Against Galamsey
Widow's Emotional Plea at National Inter-Faith Memorial Service
Mrs Abigail Aboagye, the widow of the late Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Samuel Aboagye, has called on Ghanaians to honour the memory of her late husband and eight other officials who died in a military helicopter crash last year by continuing the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey.
Speaking at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service for the “Departed 8” on Thursday, August 6, Mrs Aboagye said the greatest tribute to those who lost their lives would not be speeches or ceremonies, but decisive action to protect Ghana's environment.
Rivers Still Being Poisoned, Land Still Bleeding
“Samuel died on his way to a fight that is yet not finished. The rivers he was going to defend are still being poisoned. The land is still bleeding,” Mrs Aboagye said, reflecting on her husband's life and his commitment to serving others.
She added that the truest tribute they could pay to the eight officials who lost their lives would be to finish their work, and not let their memory fade away.
Commitment to Serving Others Defined His Career and Character
Mrs Aboagye's remarks came as Ghana marked one year since the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight public officials who were travelling on official duty.
Reflecting on her husband's life, she said his commitment to serving others defined both his career and his character. “As the Deputy Director for NADMO, his work was to reach people on the worst days of their lives. He did it well,” she said.
Pain and Loss, but Appreciation for Support
Mrs Aboagye acknowledged that the past year had been one of immense pain for her family. “I will not stand here and pretend the year has been easy,” she told the gathering. “Grief does not get smaller. You simply grow around it.”
Despite the hardship, Mrs Aboagye expressed deep appreciation to everyone who supported the bereaved families over the past year, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Armed Forces, NADMO, the people of Obuasi and Adansi, and Ghanaians across the country.
Bond of Shared Loss
She also paid tribute to the other seven bereaved families, saying their shared loss had created a bond that would last forever. “To the seven other families here, we did not choose one another, but we belong to one another now,” Mrs Aboagye said.
Faith Sustained Her Through Dark Moments
In an emotional conclusion to her tribute, Mrs Aboagye addressed her late husband directly, saying her faith had sustained her through the darkest moments. “I want you to know that God has held me. On the days I could not even pray, He carried me through all the pain.”
The Fight Against Galamsey Continues
The fight against galamsey, a major environmental concern in Ghana, continues, with many Ghanaians calling for decisive action to protect the country's environment. The government has introduced measures to combat the practice, but much work remains to be done. The memory of the eight officials who lost their lives in the helicopter crash serves as a reminder of the importance of this fight.
Source: Joy Online
