A flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony was held in Accra last Saturday to mark the 78th anniversary of the 28th February Christiansborg Crossroads Shooting.
It was also to honour the memory of three ex-servicemen—Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey—who lost their lives in the famous event.
They were shot and killed by colonial police while marching peacefully to present a petition to the Governor at Osu Castle in 1948.
The petition was a request for the payment of war gratuities to the ex-servicemen after their service in the Second World War.
The tragic shooting triggered widespread unrest across the country and is widely regarded as a major spark in the events that eventually led to independence in 1957.
Event
The ceremony served not only as a remembrance of the three ex-servicemen but also as a reflection on the cost of Ghana’s freedom.
Held at the Nationalism Park, the commemoration brought together senior government officials, security chiefs, traditional leaders and families of the fallen soldiers.
Among those present were the Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang; the Deputy Defence Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi; the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice-President, Alex Segbefia; the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohunu; and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo.
Wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen heroes as a solemn reminder of their sacrifice.
A ceremonial parade, made up of personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Veterans Association of Ghana, added a solemn touch to the event.
The event featured five officers and 143 men and women drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Air Force and the Ghana Police Service, with the Air Force regimental band on parade.
It started with a Bugle Call, a traditional military signal inviting veterans to take their place on parade.
It is an honour reserved for those who have served their nation with distinction.
The veterans’ contingent, an enduring symbol of discipline, service and loyalty to the nation, then marched to take their place among the serving officers, men and women in the parade.
Wreath-laying
Vice-President Prof.Opoku-Agyemang led this year’s ceremony and also laid a wreath on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, also laid a wreath on behalf of the security services.
Additional wreaths were laid by representatives of the Veterans Association of Ghana, traditional authorities in Osu and families of the fallen soldiers.
Patriotism
Speakers at the event stressed the need for unity, patriotism and commitment to national development.
They urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to remember the sacrifices made by earlier generations and to uphold the values of courage and service to the nation.
Family members of the fallen soldiers were emotional as the national flag was raised and the Last Post sounded, a final salute to honour the fallen ex-servicemen at the 78th anniversary.
Background
During the Second World War, soldiers of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal Frontier Force fought alongside the Allied forces.
The war veterans, who had fought so gallantly and had received high commendation, were demobilised at the end of the war and paid a pittance by way of war gratuity.
The ex-servicemen were naturally not happy with the gratuity.
They thought the British government, which then ruled the Gold Coast, would pay gratuities in the right proportions in appreciation of the sacrifices they had made.
Several appeals made by the ex-servicemen to the authorities fell on deaf ears.
It was upon this that they mobilised to present a petition to the Governor of the Gold Coast, which led to the shooting incident.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh