February holds deep historical significance in Ghana, marking key events that fueled the struggle for independence.
One of the most pivotal is the February 28 Shooting, an incident that transformed a peaceful protest into a national turning point.
On February 28, 1948, a group of ex-servicemen embarked on a peaceful march to the crossroads near the Governor’s Office at Christiansborg Castle.
Their aim was simple: to present a petition to the colonial governor, appealing for better living conditions after serving in World War II.
An article published by GhanaWeb in March 2025 recounts the events before and after the shooting through the testimony of WO I Joseph Ashitey Hammond (rtd), a World War II veteran who narrowly escaped death that day.
The centenarian described the day as ‘horrific.’ He recalled being among a delegation of 210 soldiers who had returned from the war two years earlier and decided to petition the colonial administration formally.
February 28 Shootings: ‘If the bullet missed Adjetey, I was next’ – 100-year-old veteran recounts
“The petition was to seek better living conditions after we returned from war,” Hammond said.
According to him, the ex-servicemen were stopped by colonial police and denied access to the castle. Their leader, Sergeant Adjetey, explained their mission, but the British officer insisted they leave the petition with him—an offer they rejected, insisting on seeing the governor in person.
Tensions escalated when the officer ordered one of his men to open fire. When the subordinate refused, the officer seized the rifle and shot into the unarmed crowd, killing Private Odartey Lamptey, Corporal Attipoe, and Sergeant Adjetey.
“I narrowly escaped death. If the bullet had missed Sergeant Adjetey, I would have been the next victim,” he recalled.
He also shared the broader trauma endured by Ghanaian veterans men who fought for the British Empire abroad, only to return home to hardship, neglect, and broken promises.
The February 28 Shooting became a catalyst for widespread riots and political agitation, accelerating the push toward Ghana’s independence and cementing the ex-servicemen’s legacy in the nation’s history.
Watch the video below
Details of February 28 shooting – WWII tells it all
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