Ex-servicemen and security agencies as well as a cross-section of the public in the Upper East Region have held a solemn ceremony to mark the 75th Remembrance Day.
The day, which falls on November 11, each year, is set aside to remember Ghanaian soldiers and others who lost their lives in World War One and World War Two.
This year’s ceremony which took place at the VAG Hall in Bolgatanga commenced with a Call to Remembrance and an Opening Hymn. The Call to Remembrance particularly honored Ghanaian soldiers who served in the East African and the Burma campaigns as well as those who participated in UN Peacekeeping Operations in various countries, some of whom lost their lives.
Other activities of the ceremony included the sounding of the sirens and the reading of the Binyon Verses. The Last Post was also sounded and a two-minute silence observed. Wreaths were later laid in memory of the fallen heroes.
Representative of the Regional Minister laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of the region. Chairman of the Veterans Administration of Ghana (VAG) also laid another wreath on behalf of ex-servicemen with representative from the Regional House of Chiefs laying one on behalf of traditional rulers.
In a speech read on her behalf at the event, Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage underscored the significance of the annual commemoration of the fallen heroes whose bravery and selfless sacrifices, she said, led to the attainment of peace in the world. Madam Abayage said the bravery and selflessness exhibited by the fallen heroes and other veterans who are still alive have contributed to the success of Ghanaian troops in international peacekeeping missions.
She urged veterans and other ex-servicemen to maintain healthy living habits in order for their vast experiences to be tapped for the maintenance of peace and security in the country.
While appealing to Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) government, the Regional Minister assured retired and serving security personnel of an improvement of their welfare in 2021 if the NPP government is retained.
Speaking to dreamzfmonline.com on the sidelines of the event, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Veterans Administration of Ghana, Sergeant Roland Awariya (Rtd) called for peace during and after the 2020 General Elections.
Sergeant Roland Awariya (RTD) also applauded the government for ensuring the welfare of retired security personnel but was quick to make an appeal for an improvement in their retirement packages.
Previously called Armistice Day, the day marks the end of World War One. Armistice became effective at 11 am in 1918 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium to bring the four years of hostilities to a close.
Ghana, then the Gold Coast, was part of the British Empire which sent military men overseas to fight in the war, some of whom lost their lives.
After World War Two, the Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day in memory of soldiers who were killed in both world wars.
Many countries have recognized that the day does not only symbolize the sacrifices of the soldiers who lost their lives in the world wars but also those who died in subsequent conflicts around the world including Ghanaian soldiers who died while on peacekeeping missions.
