Ghana marked the 80th Remembrance Day with a solemn national ceremony honouring the gallant men and women who served and sacrificed their lives during World War II.
Among the dignitaries and veterans present, one figure stood out and drew heartfelt admiration—a 103-year-old World War II veteran, PCE 61343 Emmanuel Darkey, celebrated as a living symbol of courage, resilience, and patriotism.
The centenarian veteran, whose remarkable life spans more than a century of Ghana’s military history, received a standing ovation as he was escorted to the ceremonial grounds.
The oldest war veteran in the Volta Region, who can now only walk with assistance and speaks with difficulty.
His presence, frail yet dignified, reminded many of the selfless commitment of the thousands of African soldiers who fought in distant lands during World War II, often without recognition.
Speaking at the 80th Remembrance Day held at the Ho Jubilee Park, officials praised the veteran and his fallen comrades for their immeasurable contributions to global peace and security.
The ceremony featured the traditional laying of wreaths, moments of silence, and the symbolic sounding of the Last Post.
Uniformed officers, veterans’ associations, civil society groups, and schoolchildren participated in the commemoration, underscoring the day’s national significance.
Family members of the celebrated veteran expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, noting that it meant the world to him to witness Ghana’s continued respect for its wartime heroes.
Despite his age, the veteran was visibly moved as the crowd applauded him, many rising to their feet in honour.
About PCE Emmanuel Darkey
PCE Darkey was enlisted into the Gold Coast Army during World War II and deployed first to Lagos, Nigeria, before being sent on active duty to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia).
Upon returning home after the war, he was discharged without any pay or retirement benefits. When he sought an explanation from the army, he was told that the colonial authorities had already left the country.
Decades later, in 1979, his plight caught the attention of the then Head of State, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who intervened and placed him on a monthly payroll.
“Like I die long time. I salute the late Jerry John Rawlings for his great work done,” the veteran—now living in Peki—said, expressing deep gratitude.
As part of this year’s commemoration, contingents from the 66 Artillery Brigade in Ho, the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service, and various veteran associations mounted an impressive parade at the park to mark the day.
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day—globally observed on November 11—serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating human cost of war.
Ghana’s 80th commemoration not only celebrated history but also reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to peace, unity, and the enduring legacy of its heroes.
