The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Rwanda, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, on Wednesday joined Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in Accra to unveil two permanent monuments at Ghana’s military headquarters, Burma Camp in Accra.

One monument honours the more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, while the second pays tribute to the Ghanaian contingent that served under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), who, despite immense challenges and considerable risks, remained in Rwanda to help save lives at a time many fled or were recalled by their countries.

The memorials stand as enduring symbols of remembrance, courage, and international solidarity, honouring both the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi and those who demonstrated extraordinary humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

At the unveiling of the two monuments erected in the Cenotaph garden of Burma Camp, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Ghana reflected on their significance saying “Not only are these monuments objects of memory and recognition, but they are also stones etched in time for the education of today and tomorrow’s generations on genocide, to create awareness on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and its causes and hopefully turn the collective commitment to genocide never again into a reality for posterity.”

The unveiling marks the establishment of the second Kwibuka memorial site in Ghana. Earlier this year, in April, Ashesi University unveiled similar monuments on its campus to honour both the victims of the genocide and the Ghanaian peacekeepers who served in Rwanda.

Notably, these monuments are the first of their kind to be erected in an African country that does not have victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi buried on its soil.

This poignant milestone serves as a constant reminder of the enduring importance of remembrance “Kwibuka” (which means “to remember” in Kinyarwanda), reconciliation and healing in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Having shared a brief overview of Rwanda’s history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Hon. Dr. Ugirashebuja also emphasized that, “As we commemorate, we are called to summon the courage to be vigilant and confront the persistence of genocide denial and distortion. Denial is not an opinion; it is the final stage of genocide. It erases truth, rehabilitates perpetrators, and deepens the wounds of survivors. Today, denial spreads rapidly through digital platforms, making vigilance more urgent than ever.”

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on his part reaffirmed the commitment of honouring the victims of the 1994 genocide and Ghanaian peacekeepers, noting that despite the crises, Ghanaian troops remained to protect civilians with exceptional bravery, humanity and dedication.

The unveiling formed part of activities commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the 1994Genocide against the Tutsi, during which more than one million people were killed in just 100 days as the Tutsi population was systematically targeted for extermination.

More than 500 people attended the solemn ceremony, including officials of the Government of Ghana, Members of Parliament, senior officers and personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the private sector, civil society organisations, and the media.

Participants reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the Government and people of Rwanda, as well as Rwandans across the world, and pledged continued support for efforts to uphold the values of peace, unity, human dignity, and shared humanity. They also renewed their commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never occur again, anywhere in the world.

Among the distinguished guests were Major General Henry Anyidoho (Rtd.), the renowned Ghanaian military officer who served as Deputy Force Commander of UNAMIR, and several members of the Ghanaian contingent who, despite orders to withdraw, chose- with the support of the Government of Ghana- to remain in Rwanda and help protect vulnerable civilians, ultimately saving countless lives.

Major General Henry Anyidoho (Rtd.) and Major General Joseph Narh Adinkra (Rtd.), have previously been awarded the Rwandan Order of Bravery by His Excellency President Paul Kagame in recognition of their exceptional courage and selfless service in protecting innocent lives during the genocide.