Vice-President Bawumia laying wreath at the 28th February grounds
The memory of Ghana’s Second World War (World War II) veterans was honoured yesterday.
This was at the annual wreath laying ceremony to mark the 28th February crossroad shooting incident which took place on February 28, 1948.
Vice President Bawumia, who addressed the 73rd anniversary, paid glowing tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes on behalf of the government and people of Ghana.
The event is marked annually to remember the tragic killing of three ex-servicemen – Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, during a peaceful march to the Christiansborg Castle on February 28, 1948, to present a petition to the then British Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy over unpaid allowances after returning from the Second World War.
During the Flag Raising ceremony in Accra, the Last Post was sounded and a minute silence was observed in memory of the fallen soldiers, as well as observance of the Reveille.
History has it that after the Second World War, soldiers of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Forces, who fought alongside the allied forces demanded payment of their gratuity from the British Administration, but were refused payment.
As a result, the veterans decided to march from James Town to the Osu Christianborg Castle to present a petition to the British Governor.
However, the British Superintendent, Mr. Imray ordered the shooting of the ex-servicemen to disperse them when his orders were disobeyed.
Imray personally fired at the ex-servicemen, killing Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey instantly.
The news of the death of the three ex-servicemen spread rapidly like a wild fire, leading to looting of shops owned by the British in Accra and other parts of the country.
The incident galvanised momentum towards the independence struggle, which eventually led to the country’s independence on March 6, 1957.
Present at the ocassion yesterday were the Minister-designate for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, the Minister-designate for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama and a host of others.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent