VP Opoku-Agyemang to lead 78th anniversary of historic crossroads shooting

Ghana will pause to remember a pivotal moment in its liberation struggle as the nation marks the 78th anniversary of the Crossroads Shooting Incident on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The commemoration, scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. at Nationalism Park near the Accra Sports Stadium in Osu, will serve as a solemn tribute to the ex-servicemen who are considered martyrs in the fight for Ghana’s independence.

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is set to attend as the Special Guest of Honour for the historic event. Her presence underscores the government’s commitment to honouring the sacrifices of the brave veterans whose peaceful protest turned into a turning point for the nation.

The 1948 incident, which drew international outrage, occurred when ex-servicemen who had fought for the Allied forces in World War II marched to demand their benefits from the colonial government. The peaceful demonstration was met with violence, resulting in the death of three veterans: Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey. The shooting sparked widespread riots and is widely credited with accelerating Ghana’s journey toward becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence.

This year’s memorial service is being held as part of Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary celebrations. Organisers have invited the general public to join in paying respects to the fallen heroes, whose sacrifice helped pave the way for the nation’s freedom under the theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”

The ceremony is expected to draw dignitaries, relatives of the veterans, military personnel, and history enthusiasts to Nationalism Park, the site that stands as a permanent reminder of the price of liberty.