Christiansborg Castle to present their grievances to the Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Hallen Creasy.

 One of the seminal days of Ghanaian nationalism, 28th February, when, seventy-four (74) years ago, the infamous British colonial police officer, Superintendent Imray, ordered the shooting of and personally shot, at Christiansborg Crossroads, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, members of a group of unarmed ex-service men, who were on a peaceful march to Christiansborg Castle to present their grievances to the Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Hallen Creasy. 

The senseless killings led to widespread anger, disturbances and riots in Accra and around the country, and, coupled with the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention, UGCC of blessed memory, the first nationalist party of our country, gave a great boost to the nationalist movement, which had been launched in Saltpond some six (6) months earlier on 4th August 1947. 

The British colonial authorities held the leaders of the UGCC, the legendary ‘Big Six’, J.B. Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako Adjei, William Ofori-Atta and Kwame Nkrumah, responsible for the riots, and detained them. Thereafter, the Watson Commission, under the chairmanship of the Scottish solicitor, Aitken Watson, was established by the British Labour Government of Prime Minister Clement Atlee to inquire into the circumstances of the riots, and make appropriate recommendations for the future of the country. 

Much of the subsequent architecture leading to the grant of independence on 6th March 1957 emanated from the proceedings and recommendations of the Watson Commission. So, we, who are their beneficiaries, can never forget the ultimate sacrifices of these three (3) great patriots and ex-servicemen.