On February 28, 2024, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stood alongside the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) to honor the memory of a pivotal moment in Ghana’s history: the 76th anniversary of the 28th February 1948 Christiansborg crossroads shooting incident. This solemn occasion took place at the Cenotaph, Nationalism Park in Osu, a site laden with significance for the nation.
The ceremony is an annual remembrance of the tragic events that unfolded when a group of ex-servicemen embarked on a peaceful march to the Osu Castle in 1948. Their aim was to petition the Colonial Administration for the payment of their long-overdue allowances. However, their peaceful demonstration was met with brutal force as colonial policemen opened fire, resulting in the loss of lives of these brave individuals.
In attendance at this year’s commemoration were notable figures including Deputy Minister of Defence, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonnie V. The presence of these dignitaries underscored the significance of the event and its importance in Ghana’s collective memory.
Also present at the ceremony was a contingent of veterans, whose presence served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by their comrades on that fateful day in 1948. Their unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of their fallen colleagues is a testament to the enduring legacy of those who fought for Ghana’s independence.