Accra, Feb 28, GNA - A solemn but colourful ceremony was held on Saturday at the Freedom Monument, near the Independence Square, Accra, to commemorate the killing of three soldiers in the Christianborg Crossroads Shooting Incident on February 28 1948.
The British Colonialists killed the three- Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey- when they opened fire on a group of Ex-Servicemen on a peaceful march to the Castle, Osu to present a petition to the then Governor of the Gold Coast.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Police Service and members of the Veterans Association of Ghana attended the ceremony, the 56th anniversary of the incident.
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour, Minister of Defence was the guest of honour. After traditional, Muslim and Christian prayers were said, Ex-Warrant Officer Borketey John took a roll call of the gallant veterans. Their colleagues prayed for the departed soldiers, after which a brief history of the incident, referred to as the 28th February Christianborg Crossroads Shooting Incident, was read.
Thence, flags were hoisted after the sounding of the last post after which a minute's silence was observed for the dead.
Dr Addo-Kufuor walked solemnly to the cenotaph and laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana.
The Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral John Gbenah followed with one on behalf of the Security Services, Lt. Gen. Albert Ocran (Rtd) laid one for the Veterans Association of Ghana, and Nii Odotey Obuor II, the Sempe Mantse, representing the Ga Mantse, laid one on behalf of traditional rulers.
Among the personalities present were Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, the Minister of Interior, Service Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Frank Mpare and a number of senior officers from the military and other security services.
The 28th February Christianborg Crossroad shooting incident is celebrated every year to honour the defenceless Ex-servicemen, who, in 1948 were killed by the Colonialists, while they were marching peacefully to the Osu Castle to present a petition to the then British Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.
