The widow of the late Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Samuel Aboagye, has urged Ghanaians to honour the memory of the eight officials who died in last year's military helicopter crash by continuing the fight against illegal mining.

Speaking at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service for the "Departed 8" on Thursday, August 6, Mrs Abigail 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.

"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."

"The truest tribute we can pay these eight is not a speech. It is to finish their work. Please, do not let this be the last year we remember them," she added.

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. "But before any title, he was my husband and a father to our two girls."

She 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."

Describing the quiet reminders of her husband's absence, she said some parts of daily life remain unchanged despite the passing of time.

"There's a chair in our house that nobody sits on. Birthdays came anyway. Christmas came anyway. And our girls still ask me questions I do not have good answers for."

Despite the hardship, Mrs Aboagye expressed deep appreciation to everyone who supported the bereaved families over the past year.

She thanked President John Dramani Mahama, the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Armed Forces, NADMO, the people of Obuasi and Adansi, and Ghanaians across the country for standing with the families.

"Thank you. You held us up when we could not stand."

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."

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."

"Our girls are well. They have your love, and I am keeping my promise. I am taking care. Rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord. Until we meet again, you will always be my forever."