It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we learnt of the untimely passing of Victor Owusu Addabor, a cherished member of the Digital Earth Africa Product Development Task Team (PDTT).
Victor's journey with Digital Earth Africa began during the Africa Regional Datacube training for government institutions in Ghana, where our team had the privilege of meeting him. His profound knowledge and expertise caught our attention, and it was evident that he possessed an unparalleled enthusiasm for harnessing the power of geospatial technologies to tackle the issues facing Africa, notably his beloved Ghana.
With every opportunity given to him, Victor showcased the immense capabilities of Earth Observation and GIS, consistently emphasising that Digital Earth Africa belonged to Africa. He firmly believed in the potential of the continental products developed and provided invaluable insights. Victor's contributions were pivotal in ensuring that the solutions created were technically sound and tailored to the African continent's specific needs.
Beyond his technical prowess, Victor was kind, thoughtful, and incredibly humble. His gentle demeanour and willingness to lend an ear endeared him to all who crossed his path. He passionately believed in the power of collaboration and was always available to engage in meaningful conversations, offering guidance and support to anyone in need. His genuine warmth and empathy left an indelible impact on all fortunate enough to know him.
As we bid farewell to Victor Owusu Addabor, we reflect upon his absence's profound loss to our team, partners, and the entire geospatial community. His legacy of using Earth observation and GIS for the betterment of Africa will continue to inspire and guide us in our future endeavours.
During this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences to Victor's family, friends, and colleagues. May his soul find eternal peace and may his memory forever be a beacon of inspiration for all who strive to make a difference in Africa's geospatial landscape. Victor, your presence will be profoundly missed, but your spirit will forever be with us.