Counselling Psychologist Gloria Addo Sarkodie has urged people to exercise sensitivity and compassion when interacting with families grieving the loss of loved ones.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Monday, August 11, Madam Sarkodie emphasized that certain questions can be deeply hurtful and unanswerable during such difficult times.
She cautioned against asking intrusive or insensitive questions like whether there were signs that the deceased should not have traveled or who will take care of the children now.
She said, “So first of all, as friends, as relatives, we shouldn’t go there to be asking questions that cannot be answered. So, for example, ‘when he was leaving, didn’t anything prompt you that you shouldn’t allow him to go?’ At this moment, this person cannot give you that answer. ‘So now that this person is dead, what are you going to do about it?’ We shouldn’t go there to ask this question. ‘So who is going to take care of your children? We shouldn’t go there to ask this question.’ But rather we should go there with empathy. We should go there with love.”
Instead, Mad. Sarkodie encouraged friends and relatives to approach the bereaved with empathy, love, and understanding.
According to her, offering support and positive words can help grieving families regain hope and gradually find strength to carry on with their lives despite their sorrow.
“We should go there with care and understanding. And it is at this crucial moment that they really need all the support and then the encouraging and positive words just to help them have their hope and faith back, just so that they can go on with their normal life in as much as they are crying for their loss. So please, we shouldn’t go there to just talk anyhow to them. But rather be empathetic, put yourself in their shoes.”
Mad. Sarkodie’s remarks come in the wake of the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of eight prominent government officials and military personnel.
The victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
