By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Oct. 14, GNA – The Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), has launched the 2025 Poppy Appeal with a call for support to purchase an ambulance for the VAG clinic at Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality.
The launch is to help the veterans, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the State prepare to join the world to commemorate the Poppy Day or Remembrance Day, which comes off November 11.
The red poppy is worn as a symbol to remind the world of the horrors of wars and to honour those who lost their lives or got injured in search of peace and on November 11, every year, the Day is celebrated.
Brigadier General Seidu Adams (RTD), Executive Director, VAG, in an address during a Military Band Concert, said the Poppy was not a mere flower but a living symbol of sacrifice, resilience and hope, taking its source from the First World War in 1918.
He said the Red Poppy had been used in remembrance day appeals to raise funds to support the welfare of veterans and their families and each poppy reminded them of those who shed their blood, stood firm in the darkest of times and contributions they each made.
Brigadier General Adams (RTD) urged the public and the corporate world to support and care for the needs of the veterans by providing equipment and other supplies to the VAG clinic and helping raise funds to purchase an ambulance.
“Currently, VAG’s strength stands at over 20,000 members. Of these, about one-third are widows. VAG also has 113 Gold Coast veterans and widows. The oldest is 106 years. VAG operates 10 regional and 70 district administrative offices. Offices are yet to be opened in the six new regions,” he said.
He said Greater Accra had the largest concentration of veterans and widows with 50 per cent members, adding that it was for such reason that the Veterans Clinic was started at Amasaman in the Greater Accra region to deliver quality health for the veterans.
“We hope that the same clinic will be replicated in the other regions in future. I am happy to report that the Ghana Armed Forces has posted a medical officer and 18 medical personnel to man the Veteran’s Clinic. We need an ambulance to augment our services,” he noted.
In a fundraising exercise towards the purchase of an ambulance, the leadership of the GAF (Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Air Force Staff) donated Gh¢ 200,000 whilst Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Minister for Defence, also donated Gh¢100,000.
Mr Genfi, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the sacrifices made by the veterans for the peace, freedom, stability and nation building were clarion calls to give back to them by providing health care, welfare and dignified living conditions.
“The President has proposed the establishment of a Veterans Referral Department in all military hospitals across the country. This initiative is designed to provide dedicated, prioritized and dignified health care services to our cherished ex-servicemen and women,” he said.
Mr Genfi, called for public education on the essence of the Poppy Appeal so that more citizens would know the physical and psychological scars on the veterans, appreciate the Poppy Appeal’s purpose and contribute meaningfully to the Veteran’s welfare.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie