The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumaia, joined contingents of the security services including ex-servicemen for a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Christiansburg Crossroad shooting, in Accra.
The incident, which happened in 1948, led to the deaths of three veteran soldiers who were part of unarmed veterans who were marching to the Osu Castle to present a petition to the then colonial governor.
The petition was in protest of the pittance payment received by way of gratuity after taking part in the 2nd World War, upon several unsuccessful appeals to the colonial administration to be given something befitting.
The killing of the ex-servicemen culminated in a series of anti-colonial actions and movements which led to the fight for the independence of the Gold Coast to Ghana, in 1957.
The fallen heroes of the 28th February 1948 shooting incident include Sergeant Adjetey, Cpl. Attipoe and Pte. Odartey Lamptey.
Dr. Bawumia who was the guest of honour for the ceremony, at the Nationalism Park, laid the wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rear Admiral Seth Amoama laid a wreath on behalf of the Security Services.
Also, the Board Chairman of the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), Major General C Yaachie (Rtd), laid the wreath on behalf of the Veterans as well as Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II, laying the wreath on behalf of traditional authorities.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony include the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
