Ghana's Defence Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called on Ghanaians to honor and support the country's veterans while they are still alive. He made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the launch of the 2026 Poppy Appeal. The Minister described the annual campaign as more than a fundraising exercise, but a national opportunity to remember the men and women who sacrificed in the service of Ghana.
The Defence Minister noted that the generation of pre-independence veterans was gradually disappearing, with only a few of them still alive. He stressed that the country had a responsibility to ensure that the remaining veterans received the support and dignity they deserved. Mr Adjei said that Ghanaians should not wait until the last surviving pre-independence veterans are gone before fully appreciating their sacrifices.
The Poppy Appeal provides an opportunity for Ghanaians to contribute to welfare projects and interventions aimed at improving the lives of veterans. The Defence Minister appealed to corporate Ghana, national institutions, Members of Parliament, ministers, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, development partners, civil society organizations, and individuals to support the campaign.
Mr Adjei emphasized that contributions to the appeal should not be regarded simply as donations, but as an investment in gratitude and a practical way of acknowledging the sacrifices made in the service of the country. He also called for greater efforts to ensure that the memory of Ghana's veterans survived beyond their lifetime.
The Defence Minister urged students, media houses, and cultural institutions to help younger generations understand Ghana's military history and the contribution of veterans. He particularly urged the media to tell the stories of surviving pre-independence veterans while they were still able to share their experiences.
The Executive Director of the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), Brigadier General Seidu Mumuni Adams (Rtd), also appealed to individuals and organizations to support the Administration's infrastructure development drive. He said the Administration had made progress through previous support, including securing an ambulance for one of its clinics.
Brigadier General Adams explained that this year's appeal was focused on supporting the construction and provision of five permanent district office accommodations. Such offices would bring services closer to veterans and their dependents and reduce the need for them to travel long distances to seek assistance.
Key points
- Defence Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei urges Ghanaians to support veterans while they are still alive
- The 2026 Poppy Appeal aims to support welfare projects and interventions for veterans
- The Veterans Administration, Ghana seeks to construct five permanent district office accommodations to bring services closer to veterans
