Accra: Ghana and Rwanda have reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, remembrance, and the prevention of genocide through the unveiling of two monuments at Burma Camp in Accra. The event, organised jointly by the Ghana Armed Forces and the Rwandan High Commission, marked the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
According to Ghana News Agency, the ceremony brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, military officers, veterans, religious leaders, and the Rwandan Community in Ghana. The Rwanda's High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs. Rosemary Mbabazi, explained that the monuments served as lasting symbols of remembrance, courage, and collective responsibility. She noted that they are not only meant to honour those who lost their lives, but also to educate present and future generations about the dangers of genocide and the importance of ensuring that such atrocities never occur again.
The monuments are, therefore, both memorials and tools for learning and reflection. One of the monuments, the Kwibuka Flame of Hope, honours the memory of more than one million victims who lost their lives during the genocide. The second monument, the Ghana Contingent Monument, recognises the bravery and sacrifice of Ghanaian peacekeepers who remained in Rwanda during the crisis, despite worsening security conditions. Their actions demonstrated courage and dedication to protecting human life.
Mrs. Mbabazi also highlighted the strong relationship between Ghana and Rwanda, which was strengthened during one of the darkest moments in Rwanda's history. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces for supporting the construction of the monuments. In addition, she paid tribute to retired Major General Henry Kwami Anyidoho and the late Major General Joseph Narh Adinkra, whose leadership during the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda earned them Rwanda's National Order of Bravery in 2022.