Ghana remembers fallen heroes

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - A solemn service was held in Accra on Saturday to commemorate Remembrance Day for gallant men and women who died in wars and conflicts world-wide.

The service held at the entrance of the Christian Borg War Cemetery at Osu was marked with wreath laying, sounding of the Knell, reading of the Binyon Verse, Christian and Muslim prayers and pouring of libation. Vice President Aliu Mahama laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana whilst Lieutenant-General Joseph B. Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff laid a wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr Mohammed A. El Mamoud Ben Labat, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps laid on behalf of the Allied countries and Commonwealth while Colonel E.D.F. Prah (rtd), Executive Director of Veterans Association of Ghana laid a wreath on behalf of the association.

Remembrance Day falls on November 11 of every year to remember those who sacrificed their lives in World War One and Two. It is traced to 1918 when the Armistice that ended World War One became effective at 11 am on November 11 that year.

Ghana, then Gold Coast and being part of the British Empire, sent her sons overseas to fight in the war and some lost their lives. The Day was by then called Armistice Day but after World War Two was renamed Remembrance Day to remember fallen heroes of the wars. Today many countries have recognized that the day should not only symbolize the sacrifice of those who fell, but also those who died in subsequent conflicts around the world including those who were deployed on peacekeeping duties.

The central element of the Day is the observance of a two-minute silence sounded by a siren, the last post and the reveille.

Ho

The 61st Remembrance Day Service and parade commemorating the end of the First and Second World Wars took place at the forecourt of the Ghana Health Service at Ho on Saturday.

On parade were contingents from the 66 Artillery Regiment, Prisons, Police, Fire Service, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG).

Christian, Muslim and Traditional Prayers were said for national peace, prosperity and the souls of the fallen heroes. "O God our help in ages past" was sang followed by the reading of the bin yon verse by a veteran to usher the blowing of the siren and sounding of the last post at exactly 11.00 am accompanied by three gun salutes at the background.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, Major Adzo (rtd) laid a wreath on behalf of VAG, Togbe Adai Kwesi Sekpe XII, Paramount Chief of Awudome Traditional Area laid a wreath on behalf of Chiefs in the Volta Region and Major W.A. Seidu of 66 Artillery Regiment laid a wreath on behalf of Ghana Armed Forces.

Takoradi

Personnel of Two Garrison on Saturday held a parade and solemn service to commemorate the 61st Remembrance Day celebration at the Harbour View Cenotaph in Takoradi.

The day was in memory of those who lost their lives during the two World Wars and other global conflicts.

Ten Officers and 120 men from the Second Battalion of Infantry, Western Naval Command, Takoradi Airforce Station, the Police, Fire Service, Prisons, Immigration Service, Custom, Excise and Preventive Service and Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) formed the parade under the command of Lieutenant Commander Samuel Ayalazonoo. Squadron Leader (Reverend) Philip Mensah led the service while Lieutenant (Reverend) Ian Adjei read the scriptures and Reverend Thomas Addo said the Christian prayers.

Squadron Leader (Imam) Rafui Abdul read the Koran and Warrant Officer Class One (Imam) recited the Muslim prayer. Right Reverend John Kwamena Otoo, Bishop of Sekondi Diocese of Anglican Church, gave the benediction.

Ex-Lance Corporal Kwamena Anim, an executive member of Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Veterans Association of Ghana, read the Binyon Verses. Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, laid a wreath on behalf of Government and people of Ghana, Group Captain Philip Ayisa, Commanding Officer of Takoradi Airforce Station, laid a wreath on behalf of Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr Kofi Arthur, Western Regional Police Commander, laid a wreath on behalf of security services, Osabarima Kow Entsie, Omanhene of Mpohor Traditional Area, laid a wreath on behalf of chiefs and people of the region, Ex-Lance Corporal Anim, laid a wreath on behalf of ex-servicemen and ex-chief petty officer Michael Zowornu, laid a wreath on behalf of foreign forces. 11 Nov. 06