The Minister for Defence, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called on Ghanaians to honor and support the country’s veterans while they are still alive, warning that the nation must not wait until the last surviving pre-independence veterans are gone before fully appreciating their sacrifices.
He made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the launch of the 2026 Poppy Appeal, where he 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.
Mr Adjei said the poppy carries a powerful message of remembrance, sacrifice, service and gratitude, and should remind Ghanaians of those who made significant sacrifices for the nation. He 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. “We cannot wait until the last few dependents are gone before fully appreciating what their generation gave to us. The time to remember them is while they are still here,” Mr Adjei said.
The Defence Minister said the Poppy Appeal provides an opportunity for Ghanaians to contribute to welfare projects and interventions aimed at improving the lives of veterans.
He 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.
He 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.
Preserving the stories of those who served
Mr Adjei also called for greater efforts to ensure that the memory of Ghana’s veterans survived beyond their lifetime. He said students, media houses and cultural institutions had an important role to play in helping 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 Defence Minister called for sustained media coverage of the Poppy Appeal beyond Remembrance Day, saying the nation must hear the stories of the men and women behind the symbol.
He also reminded Ghanaians that today’s serving soldiers would one day become veterans, making the treatment of veterans today an important reflection of how the nation expected future generations to treat those who served.
He, therefore, urged the public to wear the poppy with understanding, support meaningful projects for veterans and contribute to the 2026 appeal.
Mr Adjei reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with veterans and improving their welfare, while urging Ghanaians across the country to help raise the resources needed to strengthen support for veterans.
He said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that the service and sacrifices of Ghana’s veterans remained remembered and became part of the country’s enduring legacy.
Call to bring veterans’ services closer
The Executive Director of the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), Brigadier General Seidu Mumuni Adams (Rtd), who is leading this year’s Poppy Appeal, 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, which continues to provide healthcare services to veterans and their dependents.
However, Brigadier General Adams said significant gaps remained in the provision of infrastructure and access to services for veterans across the country.
He explained that this year’s appeal was focused on supporting the construction and provision of five permanent district office accommodations.
Such offices, he said, would bring services closer to veterans and their dependents and reduce the need for them to travel long distances to seek assistance.
Brigadier General Adams appealed to individuals and organizations to contribute according to their capacity, including supporting the construction and equipping of the district offices.
He stressed that no contribution should be considered too small when it came from a grateful heart, noting that collective support could help transform empty spaces into functional district offices where veterans and widows could seek assistance with dignity.
By Jesse Otoo
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