72nd Anniversary of Crossroads shooting incident commemorated

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, yesterday joined both retired and serving officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies as well as traditional authorities and a cross section of Ghanaians to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the 28th February Christiansburg Shooting incident in Accra.

Dr Bawumia, who was the reviewing officer for a guard of honour formed by over 130 officers and men drawn from the police, army and air force, also laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana at the cenotaph of the three gallant soldiers of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force, namely Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey.

Remembrance

The three retired soldiers who fought alongside the allied forces during the Second World War were killed on February 28, 1948 by the colonial police while their regiment was marching to present a petition to the then British Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy, about what they referred to as unfair treatment by the British government.

After the Vice-President had arrived at the parade, the national anthem was played and was followed by the sounding of a bugle (a horn) to introduce the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), dressed neatly in their usual khaki outfit.

A member of VAG proceeded to narrate a modified version of the events of that day 72 years ago.

It was followed by a flag raising event, sounding of the post, observation of a minute’s silence for the ex-soldiers who were killed and the reveille, a signal sounded on a bugle or drum to wake personnel of the armed forces.

More wreaths

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Obed Akwa, laid a wreath on behalf of the security services while the Chairman of VAG, Maj Gen. C. B. Yaache (retd), laid a wreath for the veterans.

The Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona, laid a wreath on behalf of traditional authorities, while Nii Okwei Omashie I, laid a wreath on behalf of the family of the three soldiers who were killed.

Background

On February 28, 1948, the three soldiers, all members of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force that fought alongside the allied forces during the Second World War, were killed.

This was when their regiment marched to present a petition to the then British colonial governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.

The petition was about their unpaid war benefits. But, they were intercepted at the crossroads leading to the Castle by a contingent of armed policemen who shot and killed them.

News about the death of the ex-servicemen spread rapidly, leading to mass protests.

The incident encouraged anti-colonial movements to impress on the British government to set up a committee to investigate the killings and general disorder.