- The video of the sorrowful incident that occurred at the Military Cemetery during the interment of one of the crash victims has left many sad
- It happened when the widow removed her wedding ring and placed it in the grave of her late husband
- Netizens who reacted to the video expressed condolences to all who lost their partners in the crash
It was an atmosphere of sorrow and pain when the families of six out of the eight individuals who died in the August 6 helicopter crash went to the Military Cemetery in Accra on Friday, August 15, to witness the interment of their loved ones.
One of the most moving scenes at the Military Cemetery came when it was time for Wing Commander Peter Anala to be buried.
Photo credit:@sarpoyoo4/TikTok, @Julius Debrah’s Son Aroyal/Facebook
Source: UGC
Peter Anala’s widow, Ursula Anala, clad in mourning cloth, first placed her wreath in the grave of her late husband.
She then threw her wedding ring into the grave and was immediately comforted by loved ones as she left the scene.
The decision by Ursula to take off her wedding ring and throw it in the grave of her late husband signified that she was no longer married due to the death of her spouse.
The rite also indicated that Ursula had transitioned from wife to widow.
Tribute at the state funeral
The widow of the late Wingman Commander had earlier eulogised her husband with a touching tribute at the state funeral for the victims of the helicopter crash on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Ursula Anala praised her husband’s commitment to the Ghana Armed Forces and the nation.
Peter Anala’s widow shared how her late husband had wanted to stay with her and their newborn child in the UK for a month, but had to return to Ghana after spending only two weeks with them due to the baby’s health issues.
She also expressed fear over raising their daughter as a single mother in the absence of her late husband.
Photo credit: @GH One TV/Facebook
Source: TikTok
Details of the helicopter crash
Peter Anala was one of eight individuals who met their untimely deaths on August 6 after the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter they were aboard crashed in a thick forest at Adansi Sikaman, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Among those who died were Defence Minister Dr. Omane Boamah, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Dr. Alhaji Murtala Muhammed, MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science & Technology Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Samuel Aboagye, Flight Lieutenant Twum Ampadu, and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to the act by Peter Anala’s widow
Social media users who took to the comments section of the video sympathised with the grieving widow during this difficult moment.
mimigh commented:
“Actually, if you keep it in our tradition, it means you are still married to him, and sometimes their spirit still comes around you. They don’t leave you alone, so it’s best that way.”
miss.afiwah replied:
“It is not good oo. I think my dad’s family forgot to do that tradition for my mom to remove her ring. My mum, for the past two years, was behaving sick and all until a confirmation came that my late dad is still marrying her. They had to perform certain rites to let her be free. It is not good at all.”
Titus Glover cries at state funeral
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that NPP bigwig Titus Glover could not contain his tears at the state funeral.
It all happened when the tribute for the late Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah was being read by his widow.
The outspoken NPP MP, enveloped in sorrow, simply took off his spectacles and wiped tears from his eyes.
Source: YEN.com.gh
