The widow of late Flying Officer Twum Ampadu has said the pain of losing her husband has been "very long, heavy and hard" for the families of the eight people who died in last year's military helicopter crash.

Speaking on behalf of the widows during the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service for the "Departed 8" on Wednesday, Naval Lieutenant Ewuradwoa Kumi-Kyeremeh reflected on the grief, faith and resilience that have marked the first anniversary of the tragedy.

"I deem it a great honour to be here to share my reflection a year after losing my beloved husband," she said.

"I know I speak on behalf of all the other seven women who lost their husbands a year ago that this past year has been a very long, heavy and hard year."

She admitted that, even after a year, the reality of their loss remains difficult to accept.

"Even now, it is hard to reconcile their memories with the actuality that we've lost our partners," she said.

Recalling a recent experience that brought back painful memories, Lieutenant Kyereme said she was overwhelmed after hearing an emergency aviation distress call during a public event.

"I recently had to attend an inter-service quiz, and they were catcalling and jesting. Someone in the audience shouted, 'Mayday, Mayday,' and I immediately started panicking because I was wondering if that's how the final moments were for our husbands on that day."

She also spoke about the everyday moments that continue to remind her of her husband's absence.

"I have lost count of the number of times I have pulled out my phone to share a picture with him, only to remember that I will not get a response," she said.

Despite the pain, she said her Christian faith has given her the strength to carry on.

"It has been hard, but it is well. I stand here today grateful for my faith in God. It would have been an even scarier nightmare without God."

Lieutenant Kumi-Kyeremeh expressed gratitude to the Presidency, the Military High Command and personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces for the support they have offered since the tragedy.

"I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Presidency, the Military High Command, and all officers, men and defence civilian staff, both serving and retired, who gave me a shoulder to cry on. Thank you."

She also thanked her family, friends and religious leaders for standing by her throughout the grieving process.

"It truly takes a village when it comes to grief and grieving," she said. "I would like to thank my parents, his family, my siblings and friends, who formed a formidable shield around me in these trying times. To the men and women of God who interceded and are still interceding, God bless you."

Beyond dealing with her own loss, Lieutenant Kyereme revealed that she has also supported other women who have lost their husbands, offering them hope during their darkest moments.

"In the midst of my own grief, I have had to extend support to women caught up in the confusion of losing a husband," she said.

Addressing others who may be experiencing a similar loss, she offered words of encouragement.

"To everyone who may be in such a situation right now, I pray that you can look at me and find hope that this is not an ending and not the ultimate end. It may not get any better soon, but it will not always be this heavy."

She quoted Japanese author Haruki Murakami, saying the words had helped shape her outlook on grief and healing.

"'Such wounds to the heart will probably never heal, but we cannot simply sit and stare at our wound forever. Let us make the most of what we have while we have it to honour the memory of our beloved ones.'"

"I pray that a tragedy of such proportions never repeats itself," she said.