Ursula Wematu Asaghedewe, the widow of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, delivered a deeply emotional tribute at the state funeral on Friday, August 15, for the eight individuals who perished in the Sikaman military helicopter crash.
Squadron Leader Anala, a dedicated member of the flight crew, died in the August 6 crash in the Ashanti Region while en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Cooperative Mining Initiative. Alongside him, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah also lost their lives, along with five government officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
In her tribute, Ursula described Bafemi as her “answered prayer” — a loving, selfless husband who worked tirelessly to care for his family. She recalled his devotion and the promises he kept, noting that he never let her struggle for anything and always put others before himself.
She recounted the joy of recently welcoming their baby daughter, Wenlie Wesoamo Anala, just two months earlier. Despite Ursula still healing and their baby being unwell, Anala returned to duty after only a short time at home, driven by his sense of responsibility and love for Ghana.
With deep pain, she remembered his last words in a video message: “My love, I will call you back when we are back in Accra. Love youuuu.” She expressed disbelief that those would be the final words he’d ever say to her.
“Peter, this was not the plan,” she cried. “You left me broken.”
Ursula lamented the difficult future ahead — raising Wenlie without her father, answering her daughter’s inevitable questions, and carrying forward the dreams they had built together, now alone.
Despite her sorrow, she closed with love and longing:
“Bafemi, my love, journey well. I love you.”
