By: Mercy Darko
Ghana on Friday November 11, 2022 joined members of the Commonwealth to mark the 77th Remembrance Day.
The day, which falls on November 11 every year, is set aside to remember Ghanaian Veterans and others who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who is the Chairman of the Armed Forces Council was joined by some Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ex-service men and other dignitaries to observe the day.
GBC’s Mercy Darko reports that remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states to remember members of their Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in World War 1 and 2 in their line of duty.
In 1918, the Armistice which ended World War 1 became effective at 11am in November 1918 when guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium and four years of hostilities ended.
Ghana, then Gold Coast and being part of the British Empire also sent troops to fight in this war and some lost their lives.
After World War 2, the Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day to remember those who were killed in both wars and instituted as a National Day of Remembrance.
The red poppies worn represent the blood of those who fell in battle to bring peace to those alive and make the world a safer place for mankind.
The solemn occasion began with a troupe made up of the Ghana Navy who marched through the entrance of the Christiansburg war cemetery which contains 419 burials of the Second World World War casualties.
The Veterans Administration of Ghana also joined the parade. It attracted people from the various sections of society including members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Rulers, Service Commanders and Ministers of State.
At 10:56 am there was the Call to Remembrance and the Sounding of the Farewell Call. This was followed by blowing of the Siren at 1100 hours.
The Executive Secretary of the Veterans Administration, Ghana Captain Duah read the Binyon Verses.
The Binyon verses are used to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers in the Defence of human rights, truth and peace.
This was followed by the sounding of the last post, a two minutes silence and the reveille.
Vice President Bawumia, who was the Reviewing Commander, laid the first wreath on behalf of the Government and the people of Ghana.
The British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson laid the second wreath for the Commonwealth and Allied Countries while the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Pingrenema Zegre laid the third wreath on behalf of the Diplomatic Community in the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoamah, laid the fourth wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and other Security Services while the Board Chairman of the Veterans Administration of Ghana.
Major General C. B. Yaache Rtd, laid the fifth wreath on behalf of the veterans of Ghana. The Paramount Chief of Osu Alata, Nii Kwabena Bonnie iv, laid the sixth wreath on behalf of all traditional authorities in Ghana.
Vice President Bawumia later on signed the Remembrance Book at the Memorial Ark.
Students of the Faith Hill Montessori School donated GHC30,000 to the Veterans Administration, Ghana.
