The Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman of the Armed Forces Council on Friday joined some Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ex-service men and other dignitaries to commemorate 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.
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 11a.m 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 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 10:56a.m 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.www.gbcghanaonline.com
government officials, demonstrations, open insults and an urgent action must be taken to douse the anger and frustration of the people,” they said.
Most Rev. Gyamfi indicated that politics in Ghana had unfortunately split Ghanaians on partisan lines, making it difficult for the people to speak with one voice and come together for the sake of the common good.
Because of unhealthy partisan politics, they said one’s commitment to the nation and the church was mostly sacrificed for the interests of one’s party.
The conference called on the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress to accept the fact that none of them alone has the solutions to our economic challenges.
“That is why both have resorted to the IMF and the World Bank for support over the years and this is a clear indication that we have to come together as one people and collectively look for a permanent solution to our challenges,” they said.
Dwelling on bribery and corruption, they said the bishops’ previous calls on the issue seemed to yield no positive result, adding that corruption in every facet of Ghanaian life was not only perceived but very rife.
They stated that corruption was unacceptable and must be dealt with at all times and at all levels of human endeavour since it was cancerous to the life and vitality of our nation and call on every Ghanaian including religious leaders, individuals, government agencies, service providers, public and civil servants-to stand up and to defend the cause of justice, probity and accountability.
“Let us eschew all attitudes, behaviours and actions that support, encourage and condone bribery and corruption. We call on all Catholics, especially those in politics and public service, to lead this crusade against corruption,” he admonished.
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.www.gbcghanaonline.com
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