Soldiers and police officers will be on parade today at the Nationalism Park between the Independence Square and the Sports Stadium to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the 28th February Osu Crossroads shooting incident in which some ex-servicemen lost their lives.
The highlight of the activity will be the reading of the roll of his colleagues by Ex Pte Wisdom Kudowor.
According to Ex WOI Bright Segbefia, PRO of the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG), “the veteran was Principal of the Kpando Technical Institute from 1963 to 1966 having taught earlier in the school in 1958 before eventually heading it.”
Continuing, he said, “from there he became the Director of Technical Institutions in the country and later becoming the second head of the National Vocational Training Institute. “When he showed up in my office with his discharge book to be documented and I mentioned his age, he said no, and smiling he told me that I should have asked him of his age at the time he joined the military in 1942 before being shipped to Burma for the battles.
“He said he was conscripted at the age of 15 but the British put 18 there for him because they feared they might be accused of engaging in child labour. So naturally he is 94, but by his discharge book he is 97.
“Another detail is that when he was paid his first British grant in 2021, he walked into the office of the Executive Director of VAG, Capt B. Duah (rtd) to donate about 50% of the money into the Poppy Appeal box,” the PRO narrated.
Although his gesture was objected, he insisted, saying that some of his colleagues needed the money more than him, so he must support them through VAG.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia will represent President Akufo-Addo in taking the salute from the contingents of the military, police and the VAG during this important annual national event.
On February 28, 1948, ex-servicemen seeking to present a petition to the Governor at the Christiansborg Castle were not obliged close to the spot where today’s event would take place.
Superintendent Imray, a senior British Police Officer, fired at the unarmed persons killing Ex Sgt Adjetey, Cpl Attipoe and Pte Odartey Lamptey. Accra and other parts of the country were turned into a bedlam as shops were looted.
By A.R. Gomda