1963 Bomb Blast Revisited At NRC Hearing

The National Reconciliation Commission today heard the testimony of a woman whose leg was amputated following injuries sustained in a bomb blast during a rally at the Accra Sports Stadium in 1963.

Madam Elizabeth Asantewa, 55, told the Commission that she lost one of her legs through a bomb blast during a march past at the Accra Sport Stadium in 1963. She! said she was 15 years and a member of the Young Pioneers founded by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, then President of Ghana. The blast occurred right in front of the podium where the President took the salute.

"I was admitted at the 37 Military Hospital and the then First Lady Madam Fathia Nkrumah brought me a present after which the late President visited me in the hospital and promised to build a house for me, buy me a car and take care of my medical bills," she said.

Madam Asantewa said her left leg, which was badly damaged, was amputated and she was sent to Britain for further treatment after 13 months in the 37 Military Hospital. She said she stayed in Britain for nine months and was brought back only to learn that the late President travelled to Hanoi and was overthrown.

Madam Asantewa said when the General Kutu Acheampong's government came into power she was taken back to London for treatment and assured of efforts! to build the house and buy the car for her. ''It remained a promise u ntil the Rawlings government came and took it up. I was given to one Major Smith to provide everything for me and a team was sent to my hometown to acquire the land and start the project but it has never materialised till date."