The President and other personalities laid wreaths in memory of the nation’s departed heroes.

Also known as ‘Poppy Day’, Remembrance Day has been observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of World War I to remember members of their Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.

Remembrance Day falls on November 11 each year and, in Ghana, it is marked to remember Ghanaian soldiers and others who lost their lives in World War I and II.

The Armistice, a truce which was signed between the Allies in World War I and Germany for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, became effective at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, ending World War I.

Thereafter, the Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day to remember those who died in both world wars and instituted as a National Day of Remembrance.

Solemn ceremony and wreaths

At 10:56 a.m., there was the Call to Remembrance and the Sounding of the Farewell Call.

That was followed by the blowing of the siren at 11 a.m., the reading of the Binyon Verses, the sounding of the last post, the observance of two minutes’ silence and the reveille.

President Akufo-Addo, who was the Reviewing Commander, laid the first wreath on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana.

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Lain Walker, laid the second wreath on behalf of the Commonwealth and Allied countries, while the Zimbabwean High Commissioner to Ghana, Madam Pavelyn Tendai Musaka, laid the third wreath on behalf of the Diplomatic community.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Obed Akwa, laid the fourth wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the other security agencies, with the Chairman of the Veterans Administration of Ghana, Major Gen. C. B. Yaache (retd), laying the fifth wreath on behalf of the veterans of Ghana.

The Paramount Chief of the Osu Traditional Area and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, laid the sixth wreath on behalf of all traditional rulers in the country.

Signing

President Akufo-Addo and other invited dignitaries later signed a remembrance book at the memorial park.

The occasion attracted people from the various sections of society, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, service commanders and Ministers of State.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, and the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, were also present.