Witness advocates removal transitional provisions of Constitution

Accra, Jan 15, GNA - Ex-Police Sergeant Mohammned Musah, a Witness at the National Reconciliation Commission, on Thursday described coup makers as "political armed robbers" and prayed the Commission to recommend in its report the removal of the transitional provisions in Ghana's Constitution.

Testifying before the Commission, Ex Sgt Musah, a member of the team that investigated the murder of the three high court judges and the retired army major, also made a strong a suggestion to wives of army officers to impress upon their husbands to stop being masterminds of coups.

Wives of army officers, whom he called "Magajias", should also advise the wives of the other ranks to talk to the husbands not to be used by the officers to stage coups.

The Ex-Police Officer said many of the wives of the officers knew about plans of their husbands to stage coups, and also agreed that coups were staged with the active collaboration of the Police. The Ex-Police detective said he worked under Mr Jacob Jabuni Yidana, Head of the Team, to penetrate into the camp of certain names that had come up as having abducted the three high court judges and the retired army officer in 1982

He said during the investigation, the Police invited him from home at dawn on the orders of the then Inspector General of Police Mr Kugblenu to the CID Headquarters.

The Witness said he was arrested by the Commissioner of the CID, Mr Enzah and sent to the Airport Police Station, and later to the Bureau of National Investigations.

He said he was put before a panel of interrogators including one Mr Akwetey, Mr Ampadu and Warrant Officer Dzakpa.

He said one army officer asked about his relationship with Mr Yidana, and one Major Musah to which he replied that Mr Yidana was his Boss, but that he did not know Major Musah.

Ex Sgt Musah spoke of a number of interrogation sessions at the BNI, during which the panel insisted that he had been involved in dissident activities and leaking information to General Hamidu in Nigeria.

He said Mr Akwetey did not accept his explanation, and insisted that he had fought alongside Major Musah and added that he was later sent in a crowded guardroom in the Base workshop. He later found out that he was to be executed but he was rescued under miraculous circumstances. The Witness said there were signs of torture on those he met at the guardroom, and because he was not maltreated they suspected him to be a spy.

Another Witness, Madam Elizabeth Hoyle said the Police Administration and then Government had failed to honour their word a promise to take care of her and her children after the death of her husband, James Dzofah.

She said her husband a dispatch rider of the late Head of State, General Kutu Acheampong died in an accident on 19 September 1976, at Apam Junction, when they were returning from Cape Coast after attending the 100 Anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School.

She said she was ejected from the Flagstaff House Barracks, adding that she was pursuing the promised compensation, when there was a palace coup that brought General Akuffo to power.

She prayed the Commission to help her to get the late husband's benefits and the promised compensation.

When Mr Charles Owusu Akunnor took the seat, he complained about his dismissal as the Personnel Manager of the defunct Saltpond Ceramics. He said his dismissal was not according to procedure.

Another Witness, Ex L Cpl Abraham Atia, also complained about being framed up and dismissed from the Ghana Army.