Coronavirus: Ghanaian World War II veteran raises over GH¢100,000 for frontline workers by walking

Private Joseph Hammond, a 95-year-old Ghanaian war veteran has now raised more than GH¢100,000 (£15,000) for the health service by walking for a week.

The World War veteran challenged himself to walk 2 miles a day for a week, to raise funds to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for frontline health workers and vulnerable veterans across Africa.

Private Hammond fought with the British army in Burma, in the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Inspired by Captain Tom Moore who took a similar initiative in the UK, Private Hammond hopes to raise GH¢3.5 million (£500,000).

A crowdfunding page was set up to receive donations and GH¢110,283 (£15,647) had been raised at the end of his final journey on Monday, May 25, 2020.

British High Commissioner to Ghana Ian Walker paid homage to Private Joseph Hammond for his gesture. “Private Hammond is an inspiration”, he said.

Derrick Cobina, a co-founder of Forces Help Africa, told Ghanaweb “Congratulations to Hammond. What he’s done is utterly amazing. It’s not just what he’s done but it’s the reaction that people have had as well".

The 95-year-old veteran says his sudden rise to fame is beyond belief.

“I am still amazed by the amount of kindness from the public who continue to give despite it being an uncertain time for many,” Private Joseph Hammond said to GhanaWeb on Monday.

The charity walk was organised by Forces Help Africa and GUBA Foundation.

Although, Private Hammond has completed his 14 miles walk challenge, the vision of raising 500,000 pounds to support frontline health staff and vulnerable veterans is still on.



GhanaWeb joined him on the last day of his charity walk from his Osu residence to the Black Star Square in Accra.