Forces Help Ghana (FHG) marks the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War

As part of the international commemorations to mark the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, Forces Help Ghana (FHG) held a candle-lit vigil of prayer and penitence on 04 August 2014 with Archbishop Frimpong Manson presiding over the event. This event saw over 30 guests at the Ghana High Commission in London to support the commemoration of the brave men who lost their lives fighting for their country. Among the invited guests were Wing Commander Eric Agyen-Frimpong (Deputy Defense Adviser, Ghana High Commission, UK), Mrs Marina Kingsley-Nyinah (Founder Armed Forces Children Association-AFCA) and Dentaa (Founder Ghana UK Based Achievement Awards-GUBA).

100 years ago, when the war became a certainty, armed forces began to surge across West and East Africa in vast numbers. Ghana under British command contributed greatly alongside their Commonwealth allies in many of the war campaigns of the era.

The concentration of the First World War led many of us to miss some main points. Enormous sacrifices, as they were in lives, limbs and other resources were not in vain. One only had to look at the conditions imposed by the enemy to see what awaited the Then Gold Coast Regiment if they tried leaving the war before victory. The immense commitment and brevity of these men saw them through the duration of the war.

Lance Corporal Grunshi whose remarkable moment changed the fate of the Germans in a conflict in the Togoland, West Africa has been forgotten about. He was the first soldier to fire a shot under the British Command in the First World War. Having fought in three African campaigns he was awarded a Military Medal and later mentioned in dispatch in March 1919 after he survived the war. During his post war service in his regiment, he rose through the ranks to Regimental Sergeant major (RSM). This is one example of the many soldiers who demonstrated such courage and discipline fighting for a just and noble cause.

Forces Help Ghana believes that although the names of several memorials may have faded, our acknowledgement of their countless achievements should not. The concept of wars should be told and not be buried with them.

This time of the year is special as it will allow us all to reflect and pay our respects to all those who fought and died for their country. Our celebration should unite the nation in gratitude of our brave and noble veterans. We should honour all surviving veterans and the 65,000 estimated Ghanaians who fought as part of the 90,000 soldiers in the Royal West African Frontier force. These wars have consumed many African lives and we remember very little or nothing at all. These men are our heroes; our pride and we should embrace the duty of care standing shoulder to shoulder to honour them.

Forces Help Ghana is all about doing your bit and we work with partner organisations who share a single and combined vision; If you or your organisation is interested in supporting our veterans, you can join us by:

• Signing up to our volunteer programmes
• Volunteer you TIME
• Donations
• Fundraise for our veterans

For further information please visit our website www.forceshelpghana.org .You can also find us on facebook via forceshelpghana.org/facebook and on Twitter@forceshelpghana