World War I centenary and 69th Remembrance Day Marked

The centenary celebration of the First World War and 69th Remembrance Day has been commemorated at short ceremony held at the courtyard of the Christianborg War Cemetery in Accra on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.It was climaxed with a wreath-laying exercise in honour of the fallen service men during the world wars.

Long before the commencement of the World War, the then Gold Coast and other African countries; Nigeria and Sierra Leone had raised infantry units and artillery batteries which became the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) and military formation, served in operations in August 1914.

Though the underlying causes of the First and Second World Wars had nothing to do with Ghana and Africa as a continent, the contribution of troops from the continent was due to its affiliation with Britain as a member of the Commonwealth fraternity.

The Gold Coast regiment raised five battalions for service during the First World War, and was not spared the loss of human resource resulting from the wars, as were the other African contingents.

Many years on since the First World War, memories of the invaluable contributions these service men and women have made continue to fade. It is against this backdrop that the eleventh day of the eleventh month every year is celebrated in Ghana to mark what has become known as “Remembrance Day”, formerly called the “Armistice Day”.

Hundred years on, since the outbreak of the World Wars, most of the world continues to enjoy freedom from the sacrifices made by these veterans.
A call to remembrance was observed at the ceremony; following which a siren was sounded and two minutes of silence was marked in the memory the fallen service men.

Six wreaths were later laid and a remembrance book signed by dignitaries present.

Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, HE Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur laid a wreath on behalf of government and the people of Ghana, while the British High Commissioner to Ghana, HE Jon Benjamin laid another on behalf of Commonwealth and allied countries. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Madam Pavlin Tendaye, also laid a wreath on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps.

Others were the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Matthew Quarshie, on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and other security services, National Chairman of the Veterans Administration of Ghana (VAG) Cdre Stephen G Obimpeh (rtd) on behalf of the Veterans, and Paramount Chief of OSU, His Royal Majesty Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI on behalf of traditional leaders.

Speaking to GAF news, one of the veterans, Madam Constance Ankrah echoed the sentiments of many other veterans. She was positive the annual Remembrance Day celebration if for nothing at all, honours the memories of all the departed soldiers, which is a good feeling.

She said the day, coupled with the pre-remembrance day activities of wearing the poppy has brought some value to serving one’s country.

The 83-year-old veteran who is a member of the Ambulance Brigade also had some advice for the current group of service men and women.

“At my age, I still work for the Ambulance Brigade despite not receiving any salaries. I believe in service to my country, regardless the circumstances. In this same way, I charge the young service personnel to be diligent in their service. Hard work should always be the watchword and the objective must always be for God and country”, she added.

Also present at the ceremony were service and security chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, ministers of state and government appointees, members from the security services, veterans, students and the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band.

Remembrance Day also known as Poppy Day is recognised by many countries not only to symbolize the sacrifices of those who fell in the two World wars, but also those who have died in subsequent conflicts around the World including those deployed on peacekeeping duties.

It also underscores the important need not only to stop wars, but also to pursue the peace at all cost and at all times as the only condition for the survival of the human race.

In the lead up to this day, red flower poppies are sold as means of raising funds to support the veterans, especially the disabled and other charity initiatives. These red poppies are symbolic, for they represent the blood of those who fell in the battles to bring peace to those alive.