By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, Feb. 28, GNA – Irene Okaniorkor Adjetey and Richard Adjei Adjetey, grandchildren of the late Sergeant Adjetey, a World War Two veteran killed in the 28th February Crossroad Incident, have asked compensation.
They have also requested proper burial rites for their grandfather.
Madam Adjetey, in an interview with the GNA, revealed how the education and welfare of their parents, the children of the late WWII ex-serviceman, were negatively impacted by his early death.
She noted that this hardship had also affected the grandchildren and other descendants, with some of them struggling today.
“Though he died before I was born, my dad told me how his father’s untimely death affected his education, welfare, and that of his siblings.
“Our family is not in the best of shape today because of hardship. Had our grandfather being alive today, I believe his children would have been well cared for” she said.
Madam Adjetey pleaded for a compensation package for the family, citing the impact of their grandfather’s untimely demise.
She also appealed to the government to assist the family in performing proper burial rites for their late grandfather, whose heroism contributed to Ghana’s independence and self-determination.
“Our grandfather who has been duly recognised today is a hero who contributed to the freedom and independence of the country. Government should help us give him a proper burial to give his wandering soul a final rest,” she told the GNA.
Richard Adjetey, reiterating the maltreatment endured by his late grandfather and his colleagues by the colonial administration after their return from fighting in Burma during
WWII, reminded the current government of its earlier promise to address their concerns regarding compensation and neglect.
“We admit that our grandfather suffered this injustice in the hands of the white man after his return from both WW I and II but, several administrations have ignored us despite numerous petitions we sent to them.
“We are appealing to his excellency, John Dramani Mahama and his vice to honour their promise of looking into our case,” he said.
The 28th February 1948 Crossroad shooting incident saw three brave veterans—Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey-Lamptey—fatally shot by Superintendent Imray, a British colonial police officer.
The shooting occurred after the WWII veterans, dismayed by their meager gratuity of just one shilling a day, decided to embark on a peaceful protest march to the Christianborg Castle to petition the colonial governor about their conditions, following their return from fighting alongside the Allied forces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVLWifHXR7U (YouTube video)
GNA