On February 28, 1948, at the height of our agitation and at the culmination of Nii Kwabena Bonne's boycott, the ex-servicemen set out on their historic march to Christiansborg Castle to present a petition to the Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy. At the Christiansborg Crossroads, Imray, a European police officer, shot at and killed some of them.

That incident caused the pent-up feeling of grave dissatisfaction against intolerable oppression to flare up in a series of violent disturbances in which Sir Gerald Creasy"s Government, in the words of Dr Danquah, "collapsed physically and even morally." The land was dark and enveloped in a general gloom. But Dr Danquah saw a light in the gloom. He saw that the hour of the country’s liberation had struck and, with the approval of the Working Committee of the United Gold Coast Convention, immediately despatched the following cablegram to the Colonial Office in London acquainting them with the situation in the Gold Coast and asking for the setting up of a Constituent Assembly of Chiefs and people to draw up a constitution for an independent, sovereign Gold Coast.

February 28, 1948

"Civil Government Gold Coast broken down. Police unable to protect life and property. Since early afternoon yesterday main stores, commercial centres looted and completely emptied merchandise. U.A.C Central Store burned down. Neither Police nor political able intervene or stop progress of looting and destruction.

"Deep-seated roots of disorder and lawlessness set aflame by unprovoked massacre of civilians and unarmed Ex-Servicemen by shots fired by Police Superintendent Imray against peaceful procession Ex-Servicemen to present petition to Governor on their distressing condition and post-war neglect.

"Imray fired rifle into crowds after Grenades thrown into procession. Announcement on Government radio that Ex-Servicemen provoked Police on Castle Road absolutely without foundation.

"From January 26th Government have shown abject ineptitude in face of demonstrations by people against high prices imported goods and black market.

"Complete boycott all imported goods in Colony, Ashanti and Togoland proceeded without Government taking any initiative to end same or effect settlement.

"Boycott having brought business complete standstill and paralysed trade, Government’s first bulletin issued fifteen days after commencement boycott declared boycott ordinary trade dispute which was no concern of Government unless law broken.

"But for initiative Joint Provincial Council and United Gold Coast Convention calling upon Government intervene and but for Native authorities and Anti-inflation Committee having approached Government to call in Chamber of Commerce for discussion with view settlement, Government’s indifferent attitude would have left boycott continue indefinitely.

"Early yesterday morning boycott being lifted by gong-gong, it was evident housewives and shoppers not satisfied with so-called reduced prices, expressed open resentment in several forms.

"Ex-Servicemen’s procession coming late afternoon arrangement as to routes with Police Commissioner Ballantyne, Ex-Servicemen marched orderly completely unarmed, Riot Act not read nor arrests attempted but firing started when Accra President Ex-Servicemen’s Union addressing his men between Police and march.

"President himself was shot through his shorts and shot injured man next him. Two died on spot and five in hospital, many injured.

"In addition looting, cars found in town attacked and wrecked, occupants assaulted.

"Grave position results from ineptitude Government regarding economic distress of people in addition repressive measures such as Accra proclaimed under Peace Preservation Ordinance and threats of curfew and pending prosecution of prominent Chief, Asere Mantse of Accra, for alleged offence in connection boycott, have completely caused loss prestige and confidence in Government.

"Deep-seated conviction of masses exploitation by Europeans cause of their sufferings.

"At beach and Customs Warehouse, Assistant Police Superintendent Reeves found himself and Police utterly unable stop or check and had to appeal to an Officer of the Convention to persuade looters cease looting. At Castle Road, Police Commissioner Ballantyne utterly unable disperse infuriated crowd, after some of them had been shot dead by Police, appealed to another officer of the Convention disperse crowd.

"Both cases with a shot speech and wave of hands, crowds dispersed. This gentleman* (the late E O Obetsebi Lamptey, who later died in a detention camp) proceeded to Government House where he met scenes of utter resignation with Police and Political officers at loose end unable to come to decision as to action.

"Imray admitted to this gentleman at Castle he fired shots and Ballantyne stated it was necessary open fire or Ex-Servicemen would proceed to Government House and kill Governor.

"Whole administration seized with outrageous and unfounded fears of suspected danger to them and position is disgraceful and deplorable.

"District Commissioner Accra subsequently phoned same gentleman to return and use his influence disperse crowd.

"Unless Colonial Government is changed and a new Government of the people and their Chiefs installed at the centre immediately, the conduct of masses now completely out of control with strikes threatened in Police quarters, and rank and file Police indifferent to orders of Officers, will continue and result in worse violent and irresponsible acts by uncontrolled people.

"Working Committee United Gold Coast Convention declare they are prepared and ready to take over interim Government.

"We ask in name of oppressed, inarticulate, misruled and misgoverned people and their Chiefs that Special Commissioner be sent out immediately to hand over Government to interim Government of Chiefs and People and to witness immediate calling of Constituent Assembly.

"Governor Creasy, unfortunate inheritor of aftermath of Governor Alan Burns oppressive and window-dressing Administration, to be recalled and relieved of his onerous and impossible burden.

"We speak in name of inherent residual sovereignty in Chiefs and People in free partnership with British Commonwealth for our country to be saved from inept incapable Government indifferent to sufferings of the governed.

"The souls of Gold Coast people slaughtered in cold blood upon Castle Road crying out loud for vindication in cause of freedom and liberty.

"Firing by Police and Military going on this morning.

"Let King and Parliament act without delay in this direst hour of Gold Coast people and their chiefs.

"God save the King and floreat United Gold Coast."