Remembrance day services held in regional capitals to mark end of world wars

Remembrance Day services were held in Accra and the regional capitals to commemorate the end of the First and Second World wars.

The services were also in remembrance of soldiers who died during peacekeeping operations of the United Nations (UN), as well as individuals who sacrificed their lives for the development of the country.About 452 soldiers from Ghana, then Gold Coast, died in the Second World War. In Accra, contingents from the Military, Police, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders and a cross section of the public, attended the solemn service which was jointly officiated by the Resident Minister of the Burma Camp Worship Centre, Apostle Major Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode and the Chief Imam of the Armed Forces, Major N. A. Mohammed.After prayers had been said for the departed soldiers and individuals, a farewell call was sounded, and thereafter, a siren was blown at exactly 11 a.m when bells were tolled 71 years ago in Europe to symbolise the end of the Second World War. Shortly afterwards, the Biyon verses were read and two minutes’ silence observed for the deceased. Wreaths were then laid by the Minister of the Interior, Mr Prosper Bani, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, while the British High Commissioner, Mr John Benjamin, laid one on behalf of the British Commonwealth and its allied countries.Other wreaths were laid by the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe, Mrs Pavelin Tindai-Musaka, the Dean of the diplomatic corps on behalf of the diplomatic community, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshall Sampson Oje, on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and other security services.The rest of the wreaths were laid by the Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonney on behalf of the traditional leaders and the Chairman, Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG), Commodore Steve Obimpeh (retd).Mr Bani signed a book of remembrance to climax the ceremony. Northern Region From Tamale, Zadok Kwame Gyesi, reports that the Northern Regional branch of VAG honoured a 92-year-old Gunner, Abdulai Briamah, the only surviving veteran in the region, on the occasion of the celebration of the end of the two wars.Gunner Briamah, who was part of the then Mortar Regiment and now the 66th Artillery Regiment, fought in the Second World War from 1939 to 1945.At the service to commemorate the Second World War in Tamale, VAG presented him with a smock and GH¢500.A parade mounted by 125 officers drawn from the Sixth Infantry Battalion (6BN), Airborne, Ghana Air Force, Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service, was held at the Legion Park in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.The parade was under the command of Captain Bavoke Harrison.Four wreaths were laid in remembrance of the soldiers who died in the line of duty. The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, laid the first wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, while the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Stanley Brian Alloh, laid the second on behalf of the security services.Volta RegionFrom Ho, Tim Dzamboe, reports that a parade and an inter-denominational service was held at the Ho Jubilee Park to commemorate the day.The parade was mounted by detachments from the security services such as the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, 66th Artillery Regiment in Ho, Ghana National Fire and Safety Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).Wreaths were laid on behalf of the people of Ghana by the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, while  another was laid by the Commanding Officer of the 66th Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Selorm Amengor, on behalf of the security services.Others were laid by the Paramount Chief of the Ziavi Traditional Area, Togbe Kwaku Ayim, on behalf of traditional leaders and Col. Richardon Bosrotsi (retd), on behalf of the VAG.