Former PNP activist testifies at the NRC

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA- Mr. Okyerefu Akwasi Appiah, former Secretary of the Peoples National Party (PNP) for the Densuagya Constituency, on Monday told the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) that he and nine other colleagues were arrested and beaten after the 1981 coup. He said the reason for their arrest was due to their involvement in the PNP and also for operating a Co-operative society that the authorities said was illegal.

Mr. Appiah said they were arrested on January 4,1982 and were taken to the Police Headquarters where they were beaten, adding that he was also made to gaze at the sun from 0900 to 1500 hours.

He said two officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took inventory of their stock in the Co-operative venture, adding that the goods they had included flour, sugar, soap, bicycles and about 29,000 cedis.

He alleged that they seized all the goods to the Police Heaquarters but kept the money and the bicycles for themselves. Mr. Appiah said he and the other nine executive members were kept in cells at the headquarters for two weeks and then taken to the Nsawam prisons where he spent two months two weeks.

He said upon his release he petitioned the police administration and the then PNDC chairman for the release of the goods but to no avail adding that he was later informed that the goods had been sold. The Witness said he suffered waist pains and developed hypertension from the beatings adding that he had to flee the country at a time when he realised he was being pursued by the soldiers.

He said this affected the education of his children and pleaded with the Commission to recommend compensation for him.

Another witness, Mr. Robert Ahele Quarcoo, who was a soldier with the Recce Regiment said in 1984 he went on Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon adding that he paid 1,167.10 dollars for some electrical goods he shipped through one Ofori Electrical Company but has since not received his goods nor his money.

He said the money was deducted at source from his allowance adding that when he contacted the Company, he was informed everything concerning the soldiers had already been dealt with.

Mr. Quarcoo said he pursued the case until he retired in 1988 as a Sergeant adding that he had been deformed due to the trauma he suffered from thinking so much about it.

He said he later heard all such cases were referred to the Attorney General's Department and pleaded with the Commission to recommend for action to be expedited on it to enable him to receive his money before he died.