Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 2 Infantry Battalion (2Bn) of the Ghana Army has held a wreath-laying memorial parade for its dead mascots, to uphold an age-old tradition of the Battalion.
The parade took place on Saturday 16 December 2023, at the Mascot Cemetery of the Myohaung Barracks, Apremdo, Takoradi, where the parade was comprised of a Contingent (commanded by Lieutenant Felix Ameyaw), Cenotaph Guards, Wreathe Bearers, Flag Hoisters, the Unit’s Corps of Drums and the current Mascot – Sergeant (Sgt) Charles II.
Every year, on the 16th of December, a short but solemn wreathe-laying parade is organized at the Mascot Cemetery in the Myohaung Barracks – home of 2Bn, to honour the souls of the dead mascots.
The Commanding Officer of the Unit – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Atobrah Bondah, who was the Guest of Honour for the occasion, laid the first wreathe on behalf of Officers and Soldiers of the Unit, the Head of the Defence Civilian Staff – Mrs Abigail GN Boamah, laying another on behalf of Defence Civilian Staff, and Madam Philomina Akrofi, who represented the Battalion Magajia, laid the last wreathe on behalf of wives and families.
The mascot of 2Bn is a white spotless ram christened Sergeant Charles II – named after its donor Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke, the last Governor of the Gold Coast (now Ghana) – and deemed a morale behind the Commanding Officer, and the Unit, which inspires the Unit to higher achievements.
A mascot is a person, animal or object adopted by an institution as a symbolic figure that is believed to bring good luck to that particular institution.
Sgt Charles II succeeded SWOII Charles IX who died on Saturday 30 April 2016, after a short illness, and was honoured with full military burial. It usually leads the Unit’s Corps of Drums on all ceremonial parades both in and outside the Unit.
Credit: 2 GAR PR DET
