TIG Post

Tag: WWII

  • Ghanaian war hero to document WWII, embarks on global peace initiative

    Ghanaian war hero to document WWII, embarks on global peace initiative

    Ghanaian war hero, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Joseph Ashitey Hammond, has initiated a global peace campaign through the Joseph Ashitey Hammond Foundation.

    The foundation’s primary objective is to promote peace and reconciliation on a global scale. During a press conference held at the British Council on April 20, 2024, WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond shared his profound motivation for advocating peace.

    Having served in the Second World War (WWII) as a teenager, he expressed deep remorse for the violence he witnessed, stating, “After the Second World War fight, I felt my hands were full of blood.”

    This realization has fueled his commitment to advancing peace and understanding among nations. The foundation, through his personal experiences, aims to be a beacon of peace and dialogue.

    One of their key initiatives is the launch of an autobiography detailing WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond’s experiences during WWII. The book not only recounts his personal journey but also sheds light on Ghana’s history, highlighting the contributions of its veterans.

    As WO1 Ashitey Hammond approaches his centenary in 2025, his experiences of war and unrest continue to shape his dedication to the Global Peace Initiative.

    The forthcoming autobiography promises to be a compelling memoir, unveiling the untold stories of his wartime experiences in India and Burma.

    “In this compelling narrative, WO1 Hammond not only recounts the gritty details of wartime struggles but opens the door to his personal life, weaving in the threads of peace, love, loss, and resilience.

    “Amidst the chaos of battle, WO1 Hammond’s tale transcends borders, shedding light on Ghana’s fight for independence. This poignant account offers a unique blend of history, personal reflection, and his extraordinary 99-year life.

    “The goal of the book is not only to chronicle the life of the Lionhearted Hero but to also inform and educate on the effects of war as well as propagate the Joseph Ashitey Hammond Foundation’s Global Peace Agenda,” a release said.

    WO1 Hammond has also endured the tragic loss of fellow soldiers in combat and survived the Christiansburg Crossroads Massacre.

    Driven by his passion for promoting global peace, he has introduced the Global Peace Tour. This initiative aims to educate and raise awareness about the devastating effects of war and violence, while inspiring individuals to uphold peace within their communities.

    The launch of the Global Peace Tour was attended by Ghana’s Ambassador to France and Portugal, Anna Bossman, as well as friends, family, and representatives of the Ga Adangbe Traditional Council.

  • Poland requests Germany pay roughly $1.3 trillion in WWII damages

    Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau formalized Poland’s demand for reimbursement before a visit by Berlin’s top diplomat by signing a diplomatic note to Germany on World War II reparations.

    The action on Monday comes after Poland’s ruling nationalists claimed that Germany owed their nation 6.2 trillion zlotys ($1.26 trillion) in debt last month.

    Germany, Poland’s biggest trade partner, has said all financial claims linked to the war had been settled.

    “[The note] expresses the position of the Polish minister of foreign affairs that the parties should take immediate steps to permanently and effectively … settle the issue of the consequences of aggression and German occupation,” Rau told a news conference.

    Lukasz Jasina, Poland’s foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters that Rau would raise the issue with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock during her visit to Warsaw on Tuesday.

    The damages

    About six million Poles, including three million Polish Jews, were killed during the war, and Warsaw was razed to the ground following a 1944 uprising in which about 200,000 civilians died.

    In 1953, Poland’s then-communist rulers relinquished all claims to war reparations under pressure from the Soviet Union, which wanted to free East Germany, also a Soviet satellite, from any liabilities.

    Poland’s ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS) say that agreement is invalid because Poland was unable to negotiate fair compensation.

    It has revived calls for compensation since it took power in 2015 and has made the promotion of Poland’s wartime victimhood a central plank of its appeal to nationalism.

    The combative stance towards Germany, often used by PiS to mobilise its constituency, has strained relations with Berlin.