Bawumia lauds contribution of Ex-Servicemen to Ghana's independence

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has hailed the 3 Ex-Servicemen who fronted a peaceful march to present a petition to the then British Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.

The Vice President noted that their selfless act contributed to the struggle and fight to gain independence.

The three unarmed Ex-Servicemen, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey, of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Forces were shot and killed on 28th February 1948, Christianborg Crossroads.

Dr Bawumia made these remarks on his Facebook wall after attending the 70th-anniversary commemoration of the incident.

He emphasised that "their action, no doubt reinforced the commitment of the Ghanaian people to fight for self-governance and political independence. Ghana is truly proud of them."

Five wreaths were laid in memory of the dead veterans. Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia laid a wreath on behalf of government and the people of Ghana.

on February 28, 1948, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, all members of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force, that fought alongside the allied forces during the Second World War, were killed while the Regiment was going to present a petition to the then British Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.

The ex-servicemen were going to present a petition to the Governor on their unpaid war benefits when they were intercepted at the crossroads by a contingent of armed policemen.

The contingent, led by British Police Superintendent, Mr Colin Imray, ordered that they disperse and when they refused to obey, he gave an order to the police to open fire and the three ex-servicemen were killed.

News about the death of the servicemen spread rapidly, leading to a situation where law and order broke down in Accra and other parts of the country.

It encouraged anti-colonial movements to press the British government to institute a committee to investigate the killings and general disorder.

The Committee recommended self-government for the Gold Coast, which subsequently led to the attainment of political independence for the country on 6 March 1957.

Dr Bawumia ended the post praying, "May the souls of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey and all the gallant men Rest In Peace"