Ghana Armed Forces commemorates Founder's Day

Accra, Sept 21, GNA - The Ghana Armed Forces on Tuesday commemorated the Founder's Day with the hoisting of the African Union (AU) and the Ghana flags in Accra.

Founder's Day is the birthday of late President Osagyefuo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and is commemorated in all African union countries. The day is used to extol the remarkable roles that he played in the attainment of independence for Ghana and the championing of freedom for all African countries. The day has also been declared Day of Non Violence across Africa by the AU.

The celebration was under the theme "Year of Peace and security in Africa".

Speaking during a brief parade mounted by the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General John Forkuo, Director General, Department of Training, called for the cessation of hostilities in all conflict areas on the continent.

He cited the distribution of humanitarian supplies such as healthcare, food, clothing and school supplies to communities in conflict and deprived areas in critical need as some of the activities earmarked for the celebration.

"By our proud tradition and that of the AU, we will observe one minute silence for peace across the continent at 1200 during which all activities would cease followed by the blowing of sirens," he said. Brig-Gen Forkuo said the Day would also be characterized by medical outreach programmes in all the seven garrisons of the Ghana Armed Forces as well as clean-up exercises in some institutions. He said the day was very unique for the Ghana Armed Forces and expressed the hope that future generation would continue to observe it.