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Regional News of Tuesday, 1 June 2004

Source: GNA

More witnesses give evidence

Accra, June 1, GNA - A Witness at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), Nana Kwame Ensunyameye on Tuesday said security personnel arrested him and he was imprisoned for six years at the Usher Fort Prisons for being a member of the United Party (UP). He said he was resident in Kumasi when he was arrested, adding that during his detention he was manhandled by the prison wardens led by one Lassisi resulting in an injury in the left eye.

Nana Ensunyameye said one of the wardens pierced him with a penknife which gave him a deep cut at his back.

The Witness said he was also forced to eat cooked cassava, which he was allergic to, adding that this resulted in a stomach ulcer and had to be operated on at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital later when he was released.

He said about 80 members of the UP were arrested and detained adding that they all went through similar ordeal. Nana Ensunyameye said his marriage broke down after he returned from prison and a plot of land he owned was taken over by the CPP members.

Mr. Frederick Asafo-Adjei, a former security guard with the Civil Aviation Department in 1968 said he was dismissed in 1983 through a Radio and Television announcement adding that no reason was given for his dismissal.

He said, he was a Principal Security Guard when he was dismissed in 1983, adding that he later got to know that a lady working in his department reported him to somebody at the Castle.

Mr. Asafo-Adjei said he worked with the Civil Aviation Department for 15 years but he was not paid his entitlement, adding that he contributed to Social Security Fund and was yet to collect his money. He said the dismissal brought a lot of hardship on him and his family and appealed to the NRC for compensation. June 1, 2004