Woman tells about of being shot during curfew time

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Madam Margaret Kpomli, a witness, on Tuesday told the National Reconciliation Commission that wounds she sustained from stray bullets during a sporadic shooting by soldiers at Maamobi resulted in the break up of her marriage.

She said after she was incapacitated by the surgery to remove the three bullets from her legs, a little misunderstanding ensued between her and her husband, adding that her husband insulted her with her disability leading to the break-up of their marriage. Madam Kpomli who was grateful for being able to walk now without the use of clutches said she still felt some pains in her legs and pleaded with the Commission to recommend for compensation to enable her to receive medical treatment.

She said she got wounded on January 1, 1982, some few minutes before the curfew when she went out to buy food.

The witness said the soldiers shot sporadically when they chased a private car from Maamobi towards Nima in Accra, adding that she fell unconscious when the bullets hit her, regaining consciousness at the Volta Clinic.

She said she underwent surgery at the 37 Military Hospital where she was admitted for three months, adding that Flt. Lt. Rawlings and Lt. Col. Akpalu visited her.

Madam Kpomli said later Akatapore and Brigadier Nunoo Mensah also visited and apologized on behalf of the soldiers, adding that the government bore all her expenses.

She said she was later paid 100,000 cedis compensation in 1994 by RSM Tetteh, adding that though he promised that the government would give her additional compensation, he had received nothing up till now. Madam Kpomli who had three deep scars on her legs due to the bullet wounds said she was currently not working, adding that her daughter had completed Junior Secondary School and needed help to further her education.

Mr. Victor Tetteh Laryea, a Fire fighter, formerly a Mechanical Technician with the 49 Engineers Regiment told the NRC that he was going

to seek refuge at the Holy Trinity Cathedral when he was hit by a bullet on June 4, 1979. He said the bullet hit his head affecting his left eye, adding that he had to undergo surgery at the 37 Military Hospital and received treatment for a year at the Korle Teaching Hospital where he was referred.

Mr. Laryea said he eventually became blind in that eye after the plaster was finally removed, adding that he was subsequently dismissed from the Army without any compensation after working for 17 years. He said he was only paid 100,000 cedis compensation for being hit by the bullet, adding that he petitioned the Chief of Staff and tendered

in his resignation but did not receive any response. The witness said the accident had affected his job as a fire fighter and pleaded with the commission for compensation.

Mr. Stephen Ansong, a driver, said at the NRC that he was a member pf the Military Intelligence working with the Navy when he was arrested after the December 31, 1981 coup.

He said he spent one-and - a half years at the James Fort prisons where once in a while, some of the detainees were taken away at mid night and never came back.

Mr. Ansong said after he was released in 1983, he reported back to the office where he was informed he had been dismissed, adding that no benefits were paid him after he had worked for seven years. He pleaded with the Commission to help him get his benefits and entitlements.

Mr. Samuel Sena Songodzagi, then a Lance Corporal but now a security man also told the NRC that he was arrested on September 2, 1983 and spent

14 years in prison for allegedly hiding Segeant Sylvester Tianti, a soldier who was wanted by the authorities. He said he wrote a statement under duress to confess that he knew the hideouts of persons like Adiga Akora and Quarshie Anago, adding that

he was finally convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr. Songodzagi said his wife stopped visiting him in prison after some time due to threats on her life by the prison officers, adding that he was finally released in 1997 from the Nsawam Prisons. He said he never hid the said Tianti nor knew where he was hiding until he was shot at the Adabraka Traffic Light two weeks before his arrest.

The Witness said he served for eight years in the Army but was not paid any compensation and appealed to the NRC to help for his reinstatement and to recommend for compensation. He said his wife left him, adding that her two daughters were forced into marriage at an early age.