28th February Crossroads Shooting – 77th Anniversary

28^th February, 2025 marks exactly 77 years of the Christiansburg Crossroads Shooting incidence.

Three ex-servicemen Seargent Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey were shot dead during a protest in Osu. This incidence played a major part in our struggle for independence and its attainment. 

Now for those who don’t know the story, let me take you down a historical lane.

During World War II, a war that didn’t concern Africa or any of its countries in any way, the British who were then colonial masters of the Gold Coast, recruited some soldiers to fight for them. Promising them rewards and benefits after the war. The soldiers agreed and went into the war fighting with the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Now after the war, the soldiers had to return to their homelands, and when they did, settling down became difficult. Why? Imagine, if these men had to leave their homes for war it meant they were leaving behind their businesses, farms and all sources of incomes. And by the end of 1947, living condition in Accra became very hard. Hence, the difficulty in getting back on their feet. And worse of it all, the British did not fulfill the end of their bargain. They refused to give the veterans the rewards and benefits they promised them.

The ex-servicemen then decided to protest to demand that the British fulfill their end of their agreement on 28^th February, 1948. It was supposed to be a peaceful protest from the township to the Christiansburg Castle also known as the Osu Castle to hand over their petition to the Governor.  

Things took a wrong turn when they approached the castle. One Superintendent Colin Imray warned the protesters to disperse but they did not as they were tired of waiting. And the next thing that followed was an open fire on the unarmed protesters. Three soldiers down! Sargeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey were shot dead.

Their deaths ignited nationwide unrests and protests and even intensified the fight against oppressor’s rule. The United Gold Coast Convention, the Big Six emerged with renewed fights for independence and subsequently the radical Convention People’s Party (CPP) led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The CPP, through its mantra of ‘Positive Action and Self-Government Now’ brought the new dawn of independence to Ghana on 6^th March, 1957.

A wreath laying ceremony was held earlier today to mark the 77^th anniversary of Crossroads shooting at the Nationalism park, Accra.