Tsikata's condition is critical but is alive

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, incarcerated Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Former Chief Executive Officer, is alive but in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Cardio Thoracic Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

An update on the condition of Mr Tsikata made available to GNA by the Free Tsatsu Movement on Thursday said: "He remains in a serious but stable condition at the intensive care unit of the Cardio Thoracic Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where a sign boldly displayed says 'no visitors for Mr Tsikata Allowed'."

Mr Tsikata was taken to the Hospital on Sunday November 16 2008 after an acute asthma attack he suffered at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison on the night of Saturday November 15 2008.

The release said at 1830 hours on Saturday, Mr Tsikata's cell gate was locked; between 1100 hours on Friday and 0530 hours on Saturday he suffered an acute asthma attack.

Under that condition he had no access to medical care; no guard to call to open the cell gate; Mr Tsikata suffered a bout of loud wheezing and coughing throughout the night; sweating profusely and sits up because he could not lie down.

The release said at about 0530 hours on Sunday "the cell gate is opened; cell leader sends a message; infirmary Nurse comes and starts talking about the day being Sunday and such nothing could be done". At about 0730 hours Mr Tsikata was taken to Nsawam Government Hospital; Doctors and Medical Assistants were able to stabilize his condition a bit.

At about 0820 hours his Wife arrives at the Prison to deliver food and was informed Mr Tsikata has been sent to Nsawam Hospital; she goes to request that Mr Tsikata should be brought to Accra but the Doctors at Nsawam informed her that he would not survive in his condition. The Doctors and Medical Assistants work to stabilize his condition while an ambulance was being sought from Amasaman, Suhum and eventually from Koforidua to bring him to the 37th Military Hospital in Accra. At 1100 hours the ambulance arrived at the 37th Military Hospital and Mr tsikata was taken to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment and observation, some amount of improvement was achieved. Mr Tsikata was unable to speak due to shortness of breath. He was later transferred to the Korle-Bu Hospital and currently he could hardly speak due to lack of breath.

Mr Tsikata was found guilty on June 18, 2008 on three counts of wilfully causing financial loss of GH¢230,000 to the State and another count of misapplying public property and sentenced to five years' imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.

He was charged in 2002 with the offence for guaranteeing a loan for Valley Farms, a private cocoa producing company, on behalf of the GNPC and another count of misapplying GH¢2,000 of public property. Valley Farms contracted the loan from Caisse Francaise de Developement in 1991 but defaulted in the payment and the GNPC, which acted as the guarantor, was compelled to pay it in 1996. He, however, denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, an appeal against his conviction is pending before the Appeals Court.

Mr Tsikata's incarceration has elicited a lot of condemnation, with many Ghanaians describing it as a travesty of justice.