On February 28, 1948 Exactly 77 years ago today, a group of unarmed ex-servicemen marched peacefully toward the Osu Castle (then the seat of the colonial government) to present a petition to the British governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.
The veterans were marching to present a petition to the governor at the Osu Castle for unpaid benefits. The shooting sparked riots in Accra and other cities.
The riots helped lead to Ghana’s independence in 1957, when the Gold Coast became the Republic of Ghana.
Seventy-seven years later, it is worth reflecting on who these men were, what led to their deaths, and whether their sacrifice truly played a pivotal role in Ghana’s independence just nine years later.
When discussions about the 1948 riots arise, one key figure often goes unmentioned—Nii Kwabena Bonne.
By late 1947, the cost of living in Accra had risen sharply. Many blamed foreign traders, particularly European, Indian, and Lebanese firms, accusing them of unjustifiably inflating prices.
In response, Nii Kwabena Bonne, a Ga chief and merchant, organized a boycott of these firms, set to run from January 26 to February 28, 1948. There was an agreement that the overall gross profit margin of goods not subject to price control would be reduced by 50–75%.
Meanwhile, ex-servicemen who had fought for the British were struggling to survive after returning home. Promised fair pay and improved livelihoods, they instead received little to nothing.
Frustrated, they formed the Ex-Servicemen’s Union to lobby the colonial government for better support.
Feeling unheard, they organized rallies attended by key members of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), including J.B. Danquah, Ako Adjei, and Kwame Nkrumah.
Their dissatisfaction culminated in a planned march to Christiansborg (Osu) Castle to present their petition to the governor of the Gold Coast. The procession began in an orderly manner on the afternoon of February 28, with the ex-servicemen singing old war songs.
As the march progressed, more supporters and spectators joined, swelling the crowd until they reached the crossroads leading to Osu Castle.
Every year on February 28, Ghana commemorates the fallen heroes with a ceremony at the Christiansborg Crossroads crossing Memorial in Accra.
The Ghana Armed Forces, government officials, and veterans’ associations gather to honor their sacrifice and lay wreaths in their memory.
It remains a symbol of Ghanaian resilience and a reminder of the sacrifices made for the country’s freedom.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
