Government officials and dignitaries on Saturday gathered at the historic Christianborg Crossroads, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the historic 28th February Crossroads Shooting, a defining moment in Ghana’s march toward independence.
Leading the ceremony were the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi; the Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang; and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo.
They were joined by other state officials, security representatives and members of the public at the site of the incident, now marked by the iconic obelisk at the Crossroads.
The 1948 shooting occurred when unarmed Ghanaian ex-servicemen marched to present a petition to the then Governor over unpaid benefits and poor post-war conditions.
The confrontation with British colonial police led to the fatal shooting of three veterans; Sergeant Cornelius Francis Adjetey, Corporal Patrick Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey. Their deaths sparked widespread unrest and intensified nationalist agitation against colonial rule.
The ceremony was marked by solemn military traditions. The sounding of the Last Post echoed through the grounds, followed by a minute of silence in honour of the fallen heroes.
The Reveille was then played, symbolising hope and renewal, before wreaths were laid by representatives of the state and other institutions.
Speakers at the event reflected on the sacrifice of the ex-servicemen and the broader significance of the incident.
The Crossroads Shooting is widely regarded as a catalyst that strengthened the push for self-governance, eventually culminating in Ghana’s independence in 1957.
The anniversary observance served not only as a tribute to the three soldiers but also as a reminder of the resilience and determination that shaped the nation’s history.
As wreaths were placed at the memorial, the message was clear: their sacrifice remains etched in Ghana’s collective memory, and the ideals they stood for continue to guide the country’s democratic journey.
