The late Base Commander, Air Force Base Takoradi, Air Commodore (Air Cdre) Godfried Sackey Parker was laid to rest with full military honours after a funeral service held at the Garrison Methodist Presbyterian Church, Burma Camp on Friday 9 February 2024. 

Delivering the sermon at the funeral service, Rt Rev Col John Kwamina Otoo (Rtd) dwelled on the scripture reading from Revelations 21:6, where he emphasized the importance of acknowledging the Almighty God as the alpha and omega of our existence.

Rt Rev Col Otoo (Rtd) added that the good Lord knows the ways of man in its entirety, hence as individuals, we should live a life that will positively impact society. This will make us worthy to stand in his presence and partake in his everlasting glory on the day of reckoning. 

During the service, tributes from his family, Church, the Ghana Armed Forces, Air Force Base Takoradi, his intake mates among others were read. They all paid homage to the good works, selflessness, commitment and dedicated service exhibited over the years by the late Senior Officer.

Born on 13 January 1967, the late Air Cdre Godfried Parker had his primary education at the Datus Preparatory School. He sat for the Common Entrance Exams and gained admission to further his education at the Accra Academy School. After secondary school, he enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy and was commissioned in August 1992 into the Ghana Air Force as a Pilot Officer.

Air Cdre Parker attended all the relevant courses commensurate to his rank and held various appointments in the Ghana Armed Forces. He was also a decorated global peacekeeper who served in United Nations missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and the African Union Headquarters in Ethiopia. Before his untimely demise on 26 November 2023, he was the Base Commander of the Air Force Base Takoradi.

As accustomed with military traditions, the body of Air Cdre Godfried Parker after the funeral service was carried on a gun carriage amidst street lining by soldiers. He was also honoured with a gun salute and a fly past by the Ghana Air Force after which his mortal remains were interred at the military cemetery.  

The solemn occasion was well attended by dignitaries such as the former Speaker of Parliament, Rt Honourable Ebenezer Sakyi-Hughes, former Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon Ken Adjei, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Service Chiefs, Senior Officers, Retired Officers and sympathisers.