Witness urges NRC to find way of prevent Coups

Accra, July 10, GNA - Ex-Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Joseph Adom Mensah formerly of the Recce Regiment, and later of the Military Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces on Wednesday suggested to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to undertake a study into the causes of coups as way of preventing future occurrences.

He said he was detained for seven years without charge or trial. In tears, he prayed the Commission to let Mr Annor Kumi, bring him his ring, a "family heritage" he removed from his finger when he was torturing him at Asutuare. Mr Annor Kumi was a member of a panel of investigators at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) in 1985. Ex RSM Mensah also wanted to know why no formal charges were preferred against him, why he was beaten and tortured, why he was arrested while working with the Mechanical Lloyd Company, thereby cutting short his employment with the company.

Ex RSM Mensah also said he lost his employment due to incapacitation, and wondered why the security agencies impounded a vehicle that belonged the Mechanical Lloyd Ltd.

He also prayed the Commission to find out why he was discharged without reason from the Ghana Armed Forces.

Now resident at Teshie, the ex soldier spoke of his role in the foiling of the abortive coup of May 15 1979 led by Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings. He said his team captured Flt Lt Rawlings, and one Katriku, took their particulars, manifesto and pistol, and handed them over to the Special Investigation Branch.

Ex RSM Mensah said Flt Lt Rawlings and his men struck again in the night of June 3 1979, and he was detained among 79 officers in the Air force Guardroom.

He said he spent 11 weeks and two day there. When he was released, he said he went to Officer Commanding to request to go on leave. "I was released from the Army but was called later in March 1981 after an appeal and transferred to the Military Intelligence Unit." Ex RSM Mensah said after December 31 1981, he crossed the border to neighbouring La Cote d'Ivoire under an Ivoirien name but later returned and reported himself at Michel Camp, where he was locked up in the

Witness said he was later transferred to the Ussher Fort Prison where he was detained for almost one and a half years.

After his release, he said he went on voluntary retirement in 1984 and later took employment with the Mechanical Lloyd.

On Feb 4 1985, Warrant Officer Kornu and Dzaka visited him at his workplace and told him that some top ranking officials were looking for him to give him a five years training overseas to check importation within diplomatic circles.

He declined the offer, and told them he was the next in line to be a next-of-kin in the family.

He said the two insisted that he went himself to explain his position to the authorities.

He said they took him away, and on the way they said they had received a message from one Major Pattington's office that he should be sent the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

Ex RSM Mensah said he met a seven-member panel among who were Chief Inspector Ampadu, Commander Assasie Gyimah and Mr Annor Kumi.

"Chief Inspector Ampadu asked me where I had been in Kumasi and I told him I went to visit my daughters, one in Kumasi Polytechnic and the other at Yaa Asantewa Girls Secondary School. When they were leaving home I gave them only school fees, and I went to give them money." Ex RSM Mensah said the panel was not satisfied with his answer, and insisted that he went there to see Major Sulemana, formerly the Officer Commanding the Recce Regiment.

He was locked up in the BNI Cells and on March 17 1985, some people including Mr Annor Kumi, came to call him from his cell in the night, blindfolded him, put him in sack and sent him into a bush and tortured him.

"Annor Kumi slapped me twice, I heard his voice. He used his knees to hit my private parts. I was shouting and crying."

Ex RSM Mensah said he was brought back when day was about to break. The torture episode was repeated on April 26 1985, this time at Asutuare, he said.

He said they put him on the ground and a beat him for the whole night and threatened to kill him if he did not tell the truth.

At this point, he broke into sobs, and said Mr Annor Kumi removed his gold ring, which his uncle gave him.

It was a family treasure and mark of identification, he said and added "even if there were no one in the family the ring could be kept in a museum."

RSM Mensah prayed the Commission to compel Mr Annor Kumi to bring back his ring, and added that he was prepared to forgive him.