By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, Feb 19, GNA – World War II Veteran, WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond, has called for compensation for the families of the fallen soldiers in the February 28, 1948, crossroads shooting.
He said the three ex-servicemen, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey, as well as the other ex-servicemen who took part in the protest, were “promised heaven by the British Government” when they were recruited into the Gold Coast Regiment to fight in the World War II.
“We were promised heaven but some of our colleagues had to beg on the streets to survive,” he said.
Narrating the incidents that led to the crossroads shooting, the veteran, who is the sole witnessing survivor of the shooting, said what was meant to be a peaceful match ended in the loss of three lives.
Ex-WO1 Hammond, who spoke at a press launch for his centenary birthday celebration at Burma in Accra, said he missed death narrowly when the shot that was fired hit Sergeant Adjetey, killing him in instantly.
He said while subsequent compensations were granted to the surviving ex-servicemen, the families of the three who were killed while demanding what was due them had been left unattended to.
Ex-WO1 Hammond said the shooting incident sparked widespread outrage, protests, and riots across the Gold Coast, that paved the way for Ghana’s independence.
He said the Government, must as a matter of urgency, compensate the families of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey were the breadwinners of their families.
The war veteran, who was demanding compensation for the trio, said their sacrifices contributed to the peace and stability that Ghana enjoyed.
He has, therefore, appealed for support in demanding justice for his fallen comrades.
GNA