The 2025 Poppy Appeal has been launched in Accra with a call on the state and the public to invest in the welfare of Ghana’s veterans who dedicated their lives to protecting the nation as well as promoting global peace.
The ceremony, organised by the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG) in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), took place last Friday amidst a thrilling military band concert. It attracted dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, and hundreds of ex-servicemen and women who gathered to honour the fallen and celebrate the living heroes.
The annual Poppy Appeal serves as both a remembrance event and a fundraising initiative to support the welfare of war veterans and their families. Funds raised this year will go toward the procurement of a modern ambulance and the expansion of the Veterans Clinic at Amasaman to include maternity and children’s wards.
Launching the appeal, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, emphasised the need for sustained commitment to the welfare of veterans, describing them as “the living embodiment of courage, resilience, and sacrifice.” He said the Poppy Appeal was more than a symbol of remembrance; it was an opportunity for Ghanaians to give back to those who had given their all in service to the nation.
“The challenges facing our veterans today are enormous, from housing and healthcare to general welfare which is why the Poppy Appeal remains so vital,” Mr Genfi stated.
To support the cause, Mr Genfi announced a GH¢100,000 donation from the Ministry of Defence to kick-start the fundraising drive. He urged corporate Ghana, public institutions, and individuals to emulate the gesture.
He further disclosed that under the government’s “Resetting Ghana Agenda,” efforts were underway to establish Veterans Referral Departments in all military hospitals to provide specialised healthcare for ex-servicemen and women. Additionally, a Home Ownership Scheme for retiring officers would soon be operationalised to ensure they retire with dignity and comfort.
The Executive Director of VAG, Brigadier General (Rtd) Seidu Adams, expressed appreciation to partners and supporters for their unwavering dedication to veterans’ welfare. He said the Poppy Appeal, inspired by the red poppies that grew on the battlefields of Flanders during World War I, symbolises sacrifice, resilience, and hope.
General (Rtd) Adams disclosed that the newly opened Veterans Clinic at Amasaman had been overwhelmed by patronage and called for increased logistical and financial support. He also announced that thousands of poppies would be distributed to schoolchildren this year to rekindle national awareness of remembrance.
“Let us all wear the poppy with pride, give with love, and support with commitment,” he urged.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
