The Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, yesterday joined Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ex-Service men, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and other dignitaries to commemorate this year’s 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 World War 2 in their line of duty.
The solemn occasion began with troupe made up of the Ghana Army, which marched through the entrance of the Christiansborg War Cemetery in Osu, which contains 419 burials of the Second World War casualties.
The Veterans Administration of Ghana (VAG) also joined the parade, which attracted various sections of the society, including traditional rulers, service commanders, and students from the Faith Montessori School.
At 10:56 a.m., there was a call to remembrance and the sounding of the farewell call. This was followed by the blowing of the siren and the observation of a two minutes silence at 11:00 hours.
The occasion was also marked with a wreath laying ceremony with Mr Kan-Dapaah, laying the first wreath on behalf of the government and the citizenry.
The British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, laid the second wreath on behalf of the Commonwealth and allied countries.
Mr Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, laid the third wreath on behalf of the Diplomatic Community in Ghana, while the CDS of the GAF, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, laid the fourth wreath on behalf of the security services.
Also, the Chairman of VAG, Major General Clayton Boanoba Yaache (rtd), laid the fifth wreath on behalf of the veterans while the Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonnie V, laid the sixth and final wreath on behalf of traditional rulers.
After all the wreaths had been laid, Mr Kan-Dapaah signed the Remembrance Book and shook hands with the veterans before his departure to mark the end of the remembrance service.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY