British High Commission inaugurates projects for veteran Ghanaian soldiers
Mr Peter Jones, British High Commissioner on Thursday inaugurated a water tower and amenity centre at Amasaman Legion Village in the Greater Accra Region for the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG).
The facility valued at 4500 pounds sterling was funded by the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Service League (RCEL) in the United Kingdom.
Mr Jones noted that the facilities would contribute to the uplifting of the social life of the community and generate income to maintain the services.
He called on the caretakers to ensure that the facility is not over commercialised to the disadvantage of the beneficiaries.
He said the friendship and collaboration that exist between VAG and RCEL “would grow from strength to strength”.
Group Captain Jones Mensah, Executive Director of VAG said the history of the legion village started at the end of the First World War when demobilsed soldiers who were maimed were accommodated to be given medical care.
He said the initiative started in Kumasi with the establishment of Sofo Line Legion Village and at the end of the Second World War, other legion villages were created.
He explained that the original legion village was located in Accra close to the 37 Military Hospital to enable the inmates receive quick medical attention should the need arise.
Group Captain Mensah said after the end of the Second World War, the village had attracted much attention from the public and the focus was on the emancipation and welfare of the veterans, hence the movement of the facility to Amasaman.
He said some of the immediate challenges the veterans had were lack of electricity and water supply and an appeal was made to the RCEL for financial support.
Source: GNA