President John Dramani Mahama yesterday joined ex-servicemen, members of the security agencies, the diplomatic corps and a section of the public to commemorate the 80th Remembrance Day Service at the Christiansborg War Cemetery in Accra.
The solemn occasion, also known as Poppy Day, is observed annually on November 11, to honour Ghanaian and other Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives during World War I and II.
The day marks the historic Armistice that ended World War I at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 — a moment when the guns fell silent on the Western Front after four years of intense hostilities.
Event
At exactly 10:57 a.m., the ceremony begun with the Call to Remembrance and the Sounding of the Farewell Call.
President John Dramani Mahama exchanging pleasantries with some of the veterans at the Remembrance Day celebration in Accra. INSET: President Mahama laying a wreath. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO
This was followed by the blowing of sirens at 11:00 a.m. — the exact moment the Armistice took effect in 1918, to signal the start of the traditional observance of remembrance.
There was also a reading of the Binyon Verses to underscore the eternal honour bestowed upon the fallen.
A two-minute silence was then observed in honour of the fallen soldiers
President Mahama laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana.
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, laid one on behalf of the Commonwealth, while the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps laid a wreath on behalf of the diplomatic community.
The Chief of the Defence Staff laid one on behalf of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and other security services, with the Board Chairman of the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo (retd), laying on behalf of the veterans., while the Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonne V, laid one on behalf of traditional authorities.
President Mahama later signed the Remembrance Book at the Memorial Arch at the cemetery with the inscription: “We will forever remember you for the ultimate sacrifice you paid for our future.”
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day, instituted as a National Day of Remembrance after World War II, symbolises the sacrifices of soldiers who fell in both world wars and those who had since lost their lives in global conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
Ghana, then the Gold Coast, contributed troops to the world wars, many of whom did not return home.
Beyond remembrance, the day also serves as a call to pursue peace and uphold the ideals for which those soldiers fought and died.
In the weeks leading up to the event, artificial red poppies — symbolising the blood of those who fell in battle are usually sold to raise funds in support of the disabled and hospitalised veterans.
