I want to cross-examine JJ - Baako

Following his appearance at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), last Tuesday, the Editor-in-Chief of The Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr has said that he looks forward to cross examining former President Rawlings on human rights violations during his tenure as Chairman of the PNDC.

Kweku Baako, whose presence at the NRC last week to give evidence in the case in which the relations of the late Mawuli Goka are seeking justice drew a large crowd, first dropped hints of his wish to cross-examine the former President last Saturday when he disclosed on Accra based JOY FM’s popular NEWS FILE programme that “I will not miss the opportunity to cross-examine Rawlings on some of the atrocities that took place during the PNDC days. Kweku Baako told the paper last Tuesday that there are a lot of questions he will want to ask Rawlings if the opportunity offers itself at the NRC.

Baako told this Reporter “I will want to know where Corporal Sarkodie-Addo is. Is he alive or dead? As a former colleague of Rawlings on the AFRC, does Rawlings know his whereabouts”?

Kweku Baako further challenged that if Corporal Sarkodie-Addo is dead, then proof of the trial that sentenced him to death should be produced. It is alleged that Corporal Sarkodie-Addo who was a key member of the Rawlings-led, AFRC administration was shot in cold blood at the Air Force Station at Burma Camp in March, 1984 in the presence of Rawlings. Rawlings, it is alleged went to the Air Force Station after Cpl. Sarkodie-Addo and others who were wounded and immobilized as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in the course of a foiled coup had been captured and brought. Troops loyal to the then PNDC government were said to have run bullets through them in the presence of Rawlings.

In a telephone chat with Mr victor Smith, Special Aide of former President Rawlings last Tuesday, he said, “I do not see how Kweku Baako can examine President Rawlings. All he told the NRC was hearsay. He did not witness any of the alleged tortures and I wonder how he can cross-examine him on those allegations.” Asked if Rawlings will appear before the NRC, Mr Smith said “We have no worries at all, if only the NRC can stand the heat when President Rawlings goes there.”