The Upper East Region of Ghana recently commemorated Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day, with a ceremony in Bolgatanga. The event, which took place on November 11, 2026, brought together veterans, families of fallen soldiers, security personnel, traditional and religious leaders, government representatives, and other dignitaries. The ceremony aimed to honour those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, the District Chief Executive for Kassena-Nankana West, Stephen Akurugo Aeke, paid tribute to fallen servicemen and women and commended surviving veterans for their service to Ghana and humanity. He highlighted the courage, discipline, and commitment demonstrated by Ghanaian military personnel during the two World Wars, subsequent military operations, and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Mr Aeke stressed that honouring veterans should go beyond annual ceremonies to include practical interventions that improve their living conditions. He called for stronger support in healthcare, housing, social protection, and livelihood opportunities for retired servicemen and women. He emphasized that veterans stood for Ghana in times of danger and that it is essential to stand with them in their years of retirement and in times of need.
The District Chief Executive also acknowledged the sacrifices of widows and other family members of veterans, describing their resilience and support as deserving of national recognition. He identified chieftaincy and land disputes, communal tensions, and the threat of violent extremism from the wider Sahel region as challenges requiring collective action in the Upper East Region.
Mr Aeke commended security personnel deployed in Bawku and surrounding communities for their dedication and urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations to protect lives and property. He emphasized that security operations must be conducted with professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The commemoration also served as an opportunity to remind young people of their responsibility to demonstrate patriotism through responsible citizenship, hard work, discipline, and respect for others. Mr Aeke encouraged them to become advocates for peace and development, while urging traditional authorities, religious leaders, political actors, youth groups, and community leaders to support peacebuilding efforts.
The event honoured the sacrifices of Ghanaian servicemen and women who served in wars, military operations, and peacekeeping missions around the world. The ceremony demonstrated the region's commitment to recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of its veterans and serving security personnel.
Key points
- The Upper East Region of Ghana called for improved welfare support for veterans, including healthcare, housing, and social protection.
- The region identified chieftaincy and land disputes, communal tensions, and violent extremism as challenges requiring collective action.
- The commemoration aimed to promote peacebuilding efforts and recognize the sacrifices of Ghanaian servicemen and women.
