8 Collapse At Parade

After all the pomp that went along with this year's 58th Remembrance Day parade, which was aimed at marking the end of World War II, remembering the fallen heroes and honouring the surviving veterans, there was drama at Ho, the Volta regional capital, yesterday as a total of eight persons from the various contingents on parade collapsed and had to be resuscitated by members of the Red Cross here.

A breakdown of the 'casualties' were as follows: Ghana Army 1, Prisons 1, Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) 1, Boy Scouts 1 and Girl Guides 4.

Incidentally members of 'the Surviving Veterans,' who also took part in the parade, stood the test of time and proved that indeed 'old soldier no dey die,' as they recorded no 'casualty' in the two-hour parade.

Fire Service also would have gone home with a clean slate for withstanding the scorching sun, but for a faulty incident recorded when their flag failed to fly when being hoisted and it came tumbling down, like a Humpty Dumpty.

But all said and done, the ceremony was a success as it once again brought to the fore the 11.00am, November 11, 1945 Treaty that signified the official ending of the two world wars (1914-18) and (1939-45). It is known in local parlance as 'eleven/eleven,' and the district and regional police here had every cause to go home clapping for themselves.

Captain William Dogbey of the 66 Artillery Division was the parade commander who took charge of the 250 'strong' men; while Lt. Frank Kofi Darko controlled affairs behind the microphone as the master of ceremonies (MC).

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, who read the keynote sermon from the Book of Isaiah Chapter 65: Verses17-23, was soothing with the word of God and assured of happiness, prosperity and long life ahead for mankind.

Reading on behalf of the President of the Republic, the minister's message said the children of the righteous shall not die young, and he admonished sinners to live righteous lives.

Six wreaths were laid on behalf of the President, Army, Police, VAG, chiefs and the other services.

Sgts. Asiedu and Acquah were bandmaster and drum major respectively, while Francis Segbefia was leader of the Boy Scouts.

A member in the audience, a man in his late 50s, commented that yesterday was the first time he had seen such a large number of people falling at a parade. "Last year it was about three people, but this year's figure is alarming. Fitness is seriously lacking these days," he added.