Soldiers stripped and beat 75-year-old woman

Accra, March 18, GNA- Mr Isaac Thomas Wood, a Witness from Mankessim who testified at the National Reconciliation Commission on Thursday said about four soldiers arrested his 75-year-old mother, stripped and beat her up and abandoned her at the Moree barrier near Cape Coast in 1982.

He said his mother Madam Esi Baawa now 98 years old, was alleged to have hoarded some roofing sheets adding that she bought the roofing sheets to roof her building.

The Witness said one Araba, a neighbour to his mother, pleaded with his mother to borrow her 10 pieces of the roofing sheets adding that Araba later reported to the soldiers that Madam Baawa was hoarding the roofing sheets.

He said his mother traded in flour, sugar and rice among other things adding that she never traded in roofing sheets. Mr. Wood said his mother who was only in her underwear, was rescued in the night at the Moree barrier where she was abandoned, by one of her customers who was in a vehicle on her way to Ejaa. "She gave my mother her cover cloth and took her to the hospital," he said adding that apart from the beating, the soldiers hit Madam Baawa's head with a bottle resulting in a cut.

Witness said his mother remained in hospital for two days without any doctor attending to her. She spent two weeks in the hospital before she was discharged after which she went to a private hospital. "She later suffered a hearing impairment due to the beatings she received", he added.

Mr. Wood said the soldiers later invited his mother to the Cape Coast Regional Office adding that they asked her to call the man from whom she bought the roofing sheets.

He said though his mother took the man there, the soldiers went ahead to seize the roofing sheets adding that they went to her house, broke into the rooms and took away six full pieces of cloth.

Witness said Madam Araba, who reported his mother to the soldiers, became indebted to the extent that she had to sell her building to defray the debt adding that she is now an Evangelist. Members of the Commission condemned the behaviour of the soldiers saying it was difficult to understand how soldiers could treat a 75-year-old woman like that.

They appealed to Madam Baawa through her son Mr. Wood to forgive the soldiers.

I was prematurely retired- Police Officer

Accra, March 18, GNA- Ex-Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) James Kwabena Boakye, formerly of the Kintampo District Office, on Thursday appeared before the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), challenging the circumstances that led to his exit from the Service in 1985.

The former police officer, said he worked with the Service for 26 years, and stated that the Police Administration stopped paying his salary, when it had not served him with any dismissal letter, nor a letter terminating his appointment.

It also did not pay him any benefits, and is withholding his Social Security contributions.

Mr Boakye prayed the NRC to recommend to the Police Administration to release at least his Social Security contributions, if not his entire benefits to him.

Witness said, he was wrongly accused together with other police officers, for changing the date and cover note of a tractor, which was involved in an accident.

He said despite his protestations that he did not fix the date and the cover notes, he was held liable because he had initially signed the documents on that accident, which were forwarded to the then Regional Commander.

He said when the mistakes were detected, he was transferred, and the Inspector was dismissed.

However, he was later invited in the company of the Second in Charge of the Brong Ahafo Region to the Sunyani Police Station and subsequently detained for four months.

A committee, which was formed later in Accra, to look into insurance issues, made adverse findings against him.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit offence and issuing a false accident report.

Mr Boakye said he was subsequently sentenced to six months imprisonment plus a fine by a tribunal chaired by Mr George Agyekum, but having been in detention already for four months, his term was quashed.

He said his appeal against the sentence was to no avail as he tried on a number of times to get a copy of the judgement.

The Administration also stopped the payment of his salary, and after fruitless pursuit of two years, he gave up.

He said he has not been able to access his Social Security contributions because the Police Administration has since not compiled his list of contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Another Witness, Ex Lance Corporal Eric Kweku Asiedu, complained of his dismissal from the Military after years of Service in 1983.

The Ex soldier said he was then stationed at the Border Guards Headquarters, and later at the Aflao Border and his dismissal, along with others', Corporal Afriyie, Foakye, Adjei George and Godwin Wegudi were published in the Part One Orders, adding that Adjei George and Wegudi, were further arrested and detained without any reason.

Witness said he petitioned the then office of the Ombudsman on his dismissal, but the then Ombudsman, Dr Andoh died and he could not obtain justice.

Lance Corporal Asiedu stated that he was very bitter, and added that nothing pained him more when Col Zumah, then of Army Personnel and Administration told him, that he (Asiedu) of Ashanti origin, should go and farm and stop looking for records for his discharge.

He said one W/O Danquah told him he was able to find the records, which he said indicated no charge against him.

Witness said he was not paid any benefits after his five years and 124 days of service.

Former Headteacher of Kobinakrom L/A Middle School near Suhum, Mr Pius Albert Akoei, said one Sgt Amoah, a soldier, arrested him and had him detained at the Nsawam Police in 1983 for allegedly selling pens above "controlled price".

Witness said at the time, pens were scarce, and about 25 children took turns to use three pens during lessons and class exercises. He said he took the initiative to procure pens and sold to the pupils who were then preparing toward the then Common Entrance examination. Mr Akoei said a boy who had been refused admission to his school, and threatened to "show him", might have reported him to the soldier, who arrested him.

Witness said after his detention he was arraigned before a Price Control Tribunal and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, out of which he served 10 months and pardoned by an order from the Castle. He said the Ghana Education Service later dismissed him on account of his prison record. 18 March 04