28th February Crossroads drama.

28 Feb 2007. This event at the National Theatre in Accra tells the story of the participation of Ghanaian troops alongside Allied forces in the second world war and of their demand for promised service benefits and jobs following their discharge. On 28 February 1948 a group of unarmed ex servicemen marched on Christianborg Castle, the seat of the British colonial government of the then Gold Coast, in Accra to protest against their poor conditions; government soldiers allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators at the castle crossroads, leaving three people dead. The incident sparked a series of riots and looting across the country, leading to the arrest of key nationalist leaders and the creation of a commission to look into the disturbances and make recommendations for the future governance of the colony. Following its investigations, the commission advised that a new constitution be drafted as a possible precursor to self-government, paving the way for full independence nine years later, in March 1957. The event is part of the Ghana @ 50 programme and is being organised by the minister of tourism. 20.00.