Parliament observes Remembrance Day
Parliament on Friday observed the Remembrance Day, dedicated to recognise contributions of soldiers both dead and alive during the First World War, with both sides of the House the legislature placing emphasis on expediting action on interventions that would enhance the well being of military veterans.
The House was unanimous on the need for Ghana to acknowledge the immense contribution of military veterans to the country’s political emancipation and to world peace, and called on corporate Ghana to tap into their rich human resource for accelerated national development.
Major Derek Oduro (rtd), Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, who read a statement on the floor of Parliament, saluted veterans, retired officers and the gallant soldiers of the Ghana Armed Forces and commended their contribution to world peace and security and to national cohesion and development.
“It is my prayer that God would touch the hearts of the country’s leaders to work diligently towards the promotion of peace and development as the contribution of these soldiers and civilians depicted discipline, hard work, good moral standards and other virtues for development and progress of society.”
The retired army officer applauded the Veterans Administration Bill that was currently before Parliament, which sought to provide a better legal framework for the management of the affairs of military veterans and that if passed, the Bill would be a firm commitment by Government to “seriously cater for the welfare needs of veterans”.
Alhaji Abukari Sumani, MP for Tamale North, who also read a statement to commemorate the Day, noted that such celebrations provided excellent examples for other communities to follow and said “As we honour our veterans for their loyal and dedicated service, we send a word to our youth that our country Ghana is worth dying for.
“It is time we take care of them to prove to all that we value selfless services to the nation, so that others will be equally willing to die a little for Ghana”.
Alhaji Sumani buttressed the fact that the Veterans Administration Bill before Parliament if passed would address new issues affecting the welfare of military veterans.
The Bill, which is at the consideration stage in Parliament, was initiated as a result of Government recognition of the state of frustration, despair and helplessness of the veterans of the World War I and II, who had returned home only to realise there was no scheme for their resettlement and rehabilitation.
It will also cater for the welfare of retired service personnel and make it mandatory to belong to the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG).
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, MP for Afigya-Sekyere West lauded the contributions of service personnel in peacekeeping and national development and said “Parliament was encouraged by the knowledge that it (Parliament) could count on the neutrality of the armed forces as elections approached”.
He said a large majority of Ghanaians were held soldiers in high esteem and that that their image should be the guiding principles for their actions.
Mr Alfred Kwami Agbesi, MP for Ashiaman re-echoed the need for better conditions for surviving veterans, exhorting the country to tap into their enormous knowledge reserves.
Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day and Veterans Day, is a memorial day observed in commonwealth countries since the end of the First World War to remember members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty.
This day, or alternative dates, is also recognised as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11th November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice at the 11th hour
The red poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.
Source: GNA