Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - Mr. Jonathan Kotey Nikoi, grandson of the late politician and cocoa merchant, Gershon Ashie Nikoi on Tuesday appealed to government to help the family to exhume his body and give him a befitting burial.
He said through the active influence of his father the Cocoa Marketing Board and the Scholarship Scheme was established and pleaded that at least four scholarship slots should be given to the family to help the young ones further their education.
Giving evidence at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), Mr. Nikoi said the family had not organised a funeral for the Late Gershon Nikoi and no family member knew where he was buried but mentioned one Dr. Sarfo Adu who could be contacted for the location since he was amongst those that buried his grandfather.
He said his grandfather was the Vice Chairman of the CPP led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah with Mr. William Ofori Atta, Dr. J.B. Danquah, Akuffo Addo, Ako Adjei and Kojo Botio, among others, as his compatriots who fought for the country's independence.
Mr. Nikoi said his grandfather studied in Britain and returned home in 1930, adding that he organised the peasant farmers across West Africa and led a delegation to the Manchester Conference in 1945. He said after a series of political harassment by the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) government, his grandfather went into exile in Togo assisted by the former President Olympio, adding that after Olympio died, he continued to Ibadan, Nigeria where he died and was buried in 1963.
According to Mr. Nikoi, who works with Ghana Post in Sunyani, his grandfather said the CPP government promised to help the peasant farmers to market their produce, but failed them, adding that the CPP government was rather planning to use the proceeds from the farmers to finance the party.
Mr. Nikoi said this made his grandfather and some party members to break away from the CPP government leading to his arrest and detention. The witness said his grandfather was among the first group of 45 political opponents that were arrested and imprisoned in 1958.
He said his grandfather was later released, bundled in blanket and left at the premises of the La Presbyterian Church and was asked to walk home in his underwear.
He said the late Ashie Nikoi was re-arrested with others after he had given a speech at a political rally in Kumasi, adding that it was after his release that he went into exile.
Nii Kotey Amli, 111, a traditional ruler of the Klanaa Quarter of La, who was a witness for the Late Gershon Ashie Nikoi said the plots of land belonging to the La traditional area, including Nkwantanan now Madina had been encroached on by previous governments and individuals. He said the family had not received any compensation and called on the NRC to help them retrieve the compensation due them. 2 Sept. 03
