60th Remembrance Day Service held in Accra

Accra, Nov. 11 GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday joined war veterans and others at a 90-minute solemn service at the Independence Square in Accra to mark the 60th Remembrance Day in memory of fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars. On parade was a contingent of eight officers and 169 men drawn from the Ghana Army, Air force, Navy, Police and the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), who were ushered to the parade grounds by traditional horn blowers (mmenson).

President Kufuor laid the first out of 12 wreaths in memory of the heroes. Representatives of Commonwealth countries in Ghana and the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps also laid wreaths. Nii Adotey Obour, Acting Ga Mantse, laid one on behalf of chiefs, while Lt. General Albert Ocran, Chairman of VAG, also laid one for the veterans.

The knell sounded, the siren blew and the Binyon verses were read before the last post sounded and a two-minute silence was observed. Flags from Commonwealth countries that took part in the World War One and Two were hoisted during the service.

In 1918 the armistice, which ended World War One became effective at 1100 hours of November 11 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium to draw down the curtain on the four years of hostilities.

The day was called the Armistice Day, after World War Two and was later renamed Remembrance Day to remind the people of the world of those who were killed in both wars.

Many countries have recognised that the day does not only symbolise the sacrifices of those who fell in the two World Wars but also those who have died in subsequent conflicts around the world, including Ghanaians serving on peacekeeping duties. Other dignitaries, who attended the service, included Vice President Aliu Mahama, Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, top government officials and Service Commanders.