The Veterans Administration, Ghana has launched its annual “Poppy Appeal” project to solicit funds to cater for the maintenance, medical care and welfare of retired military personnel.

The Administration has, therefore, appealed to the public to buy and wear the red poppy to help support the needs of the aged and the physically challenged war veterans across the country.

The wearing of red poppy helps to keep faith with veterans who have died as well as help the surviving ones who are maimed and aged to live decent lives.

Speaking at the launch, Colonel Chris Afefa Oscar Nutakor (Rtd), the Executive Director of the Administration, said the Administration was a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Defence.

However, the Government’s budgetary allocations would not be enough to cater for the aged veterans with multi-faceted and geriatric health problems, which were not covered under the health insurance scheme, and hence the need for support.

He said this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War and the formation of the United Nations.

He noted that although West Africa was not the theatre of war, Ghana still had to contribute troops to the British Crown under the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Col Nutakor said after the war, all soldiers were demobilised and paid war entitlement and that was the end, leaving young men with no employment.

He said the survivors were now aged and weak with no means of support.

He explained: “They were also not integrated into the colonial army, which was still in its embryonic stage. Most of them found their way to the three Legion Villages in Accra, Kumasi and Yendi with a total number of 400 veterans.”

He said the Administration would on October 29, 2015, organise a Military Band Concert at the Banquet Hall of the State House as a prelude to the Remembrance Day Celebration, which falls on November 11, every year.

Col. Nutakor said the Administration run a medical post at Amasaman in Accra and planned to build a larger medical post with beds to cater for all veterans and the larger community. It would also have a multi-purpose events centre.

“Our long-term projects, include building a VAG complex on our two plots on the Independence Avenue near the Ako-Adjei Interchange and a commercial hub along the airport road adjacent to the Golden Tulip”.

Commander Steve Obimpeh (Rtd), the Board Chairman of VAG, said the veterans associations all over the world were formed to bring to the attention of governments and the citizenry, the plight and suffering of veterans and their dependents.

He said the economic crisis affecting the world, especially the weakest countries, had had a negative impact on the quality of life of veterans, their pensions, medical and other social support systems.

He appealed to individuals and corporate bodies to contribute in supporting the course of the veterans to live a better life.