Boakye-Djan Apologises For AFRC Brutalities

Osahene Boakye Djan, a former deputy Chairman of the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) on Tuesday rendered an unreserved apology to victims of the brutalities of that regime.

The former military officer, who held the rank of Major before his exit said: "I feel very awful and sorry about what happened. We unreservedly apologise for the suffering of the people."

He added that he and his compatriots were seeking ways to connect with the victims and offer them further apologies.

Giving evidence at a National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) public hearing in Accra Osahene Boakye Djan asked former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings to admit responsibility for the summary execution of Lance Corporal Sarkodie Addo in 1984.

The Witness also requested former President Rawlings to identify the burial site of the former soldier to enable his body to be exhumed and reburied and that he should finally apologise for the killing.

"Failing to do that, we would ask the Commission to recommend to the Government to initiate action against Mr Rawlings and his regime to be prosecuted by the International War Crimes Tribunal."

Mrs Juliana Ewuraesi Amonoo-Neizer, Counsel for the Commission, led the Witness in his evidence, which together with questions from the Commissioners lasted for more than three hours.

Lance Corproal Peter Tasiri Azongo, Cpl John Newton Gatsiko and L/Cpl Fred Ansah Atiemoh, three of the seven signatories to Osahene Boakye Djan's petition, accompanied the former AFRC Deputy Chairman to the hearing.

The other signatories were Harry Obeng, K Owusu Boateng and Owusu Adu.

Osahene Boakye Djan's testimony attracted the biggest crowd as the public gallery was filled to capacity, with some of the observers standing in the alleys.

Osahene Boakye Djan, a former deputy Chairman of the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) on Tuesday rendered an unreserved apology to victims of the brutalities of that regime.

The former military officer, who held the rank of Major before his exit said: "I feel very awful and sorry about what happened. We unreservedly apologise for the suffering of the people."

He added that he and his compatriots were seeking ways to connect with the victims and offer them further apologies.

Giving evidence at a National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) public hearing in Accra Osahene Boakye Djan asked former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings to admit responsibility for the summary execution of Lance Corporal Sarkodie Addo in 1984.

The Witness also requested former President Rawlings to identify the burial site of the former soldier to enable his body to be exhumed and reburied and that he should finally apologise for the killing.

"Failing to do that, we would ask the Commission to recommend to the Government to initiate action against Mr Rawlings and his regime to be prosecuted by the International War Crimes Tribunal."

Mrs Juliana Ewuraesi Amonoo-Neizer, Counsel for the Commission, led the Witness in his evidence, which together with questions from the Commissioners lasted for more than three hours.

Lance Corproal Peter Tasiri Azongo, Cpl John Newton Gatsiko and L/Cpl Fred Ansah Atiemoh, three of the seven signatories to Osahene Boakye Djan's petition, accompanied the former AFRC Deputy Chairman to the hearing.

The other signatories were Harry Obeng, K Owusu Boateng and Owusu Adu.

Osahene Boakye Djan's testimony attracted the biggest crowd as the public gallery was filled to capacity, with some of the observers standing in the alleys.