Commodore Steven Obimpeh (rtd) addressing the media. With him are some veterans
THE VETERANS Administration of Ghana (VAG) has launched the 2016 edition of Poppy Appeal, a global symbol of peace used to solicit support from the public annually for the upkeep of veteran army officers especially in Commonwealth countries.
Speaking at the launch on Friday at VAG headquarters in Accra, Board Chairman of VAG, Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd) explained that Poppy has over the years become a universal symbol of peace and remembrance in honour of those who died during the first and second world wars (2WW).
According to him, the total number of the Ghana Armed Forces veterans now stands at about 19,000, whilst that of Gold Coast Army is 195 and 208 war veterans who fought in the second world war.
He said “one of the objectives of VAG is to ensure the welfare of military veterans, the maintenance as well as the comfort of those who require special attention, particularly the disabled, the sick, the aged, the infirm, the needy, and the destitute.”
He added that “to achieve these, VAG annually launches this appeal to the public and corporate Ghana to donate to the Poppy Fund.”
He appealed to government and corporate organizations to embrace the wearing of the red Poppy during the Remembrance Day period, charging the Ghana Education Service and National Commission on Civic Education to help promote awareness of the Poppy Appeal.
Commodore Obimpeh (rtd) disclosed the poppies were received as a donation from the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, UK
He appealed that “donations in cash or in kind should be made to Veterans Administration, Ghana, whose offices are located in all the regional capitals of Ghana or to the Head Office at the Ako Adjei Interchange, Ridge Accra.”
2016 marks the 71st anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War which VAG will commemorate at the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Osu in Accra and all regional capitals across the country on Friday November 11, 2016.
After the 2WW, artificial poppy was designed and sold in France to support the injured and widows. A year later, this innovation became globally accepted.
BY Melvin Tarlue