Awura Adjoa Kumi-Kyere
Naval Lieutenant Awura Adjoa Kumi-Kyere, the wife of late Ghanaian Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, who died in the recent helicopter crash in Ghana alongside seven others, has paid a touching tribute to her husband.
In a tribute delivered at the state funeral held in Accra on Friday, August 15, 2025, for her husband and the rest of the seven men who died in the crash, she wondered what life will be like without him, asking “What do I do without you.”
The helicopter crash which happened in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, claimed the lives of Ghana’s Defence and Environment Ministers, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; ; and crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Their inter-denominational and inter-faith state funeral which took place at the Black Star Square was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, religious leaders, senior government officials, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, family and loved ones.
Below is Naval Lieutenant Awura Adjoa Kumi-Kyere’s tribute to her husband:
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.
What is this grief, and what do I do with it? Manaen and I met on his birthday in 2022. People always commented that you loved me too much, but only you and I know the depth of what we had and shared.
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. What do I do with all these emotions?
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.
You were considerate, attentive, giving, fun and loving, a quiet source of strength to me and indeed everyone who encountered you. My darling, thank you for blessing my life with your sweet presence and your ever-constant smile.
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.
Mike–Yankee–Sierra–Whiskey–Echo–Echo
Tango–Bravo–Alpha–Bravo–Yankee–Bravo
Oscar–Yankee–India–Lima–Oscar–Victor
Echo–Yankee–Oscar–Uniform.
My forever and a day.
Sleep well, my love.
May the earth rest lightly on you.
God be with you till we meet again
