Accra (Greater Accra) 02 February 2002 - The Children of the late Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume, one of the eight senior army officers executed during the 1979 upraising on Friday called for justice for his death.
The Children Dzifa, Koby and Dela, who were ten, five and four years old in that order, when their father was killed on June 26, 1979, said the perpetrators of the inhuman treatment must answer for their crime.
The Children made the call at the burial and memorial service for their father in Accra.
The casket, containing the mortal remains of the Admiral Amedume draped in national colours, was carried to the Osu Military Cemetery by pallbearers from the Navy. The last post sounded after prayers by the Reverend O. K. Klu of the Accra New Town Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
The Children in a tribute said: "We have been deprived of the memories of a father, whom we adored, have grown up without a father for whom our lives would have been like an extraordinary book.
They said their father had not been around to comfort and encourage them when things did not go right. He had not been there to share in their achievement at school and at games. Neither was he around when they were admitted to the university nor on their graduation day. Indeed he did not have "the pride of seeing us married".
Mrs Felicia Amedume, the Widow, said: "The death of Joy was all the more painful to us his family and friends as we struggled to come to terms with why a man of his stature, whose life was about decency, honesty and integrity should be mowed down in the prime of his life by a group of twisted and bitter individuals full of hatred."
She said the family was stripped of everything they extremely worked hard to achieve. "But I say this to them they may have destroyed my outer man but my inner man remains resolute," Mrs Amedume stated.
She thanked President John Agyekum Kufuor for heeding to their demand and handing over the remains of their loved ones for burial, saying: "I have waited 22 years for this moment to honour my most loved and cherished husband, Joy. God has spoken and the moment has arrived."
Brigadier Israel K. Amoah, former Army Commander, described the Admiral Amedume as giant of a man, huge robust and tall with special qualities, respectful, kind, gentle, approachable, diligent, hardworking and above all one who loved others.
Rev. Klu in a sermon called on leaders to seek divine intervention during their governorship. Other dignitaries present included, General Emmanuel Erskine, former UNIFIL Commander and Service Commanders.
There were other tributes from the family, the 1960-year group of Achimota School and loved ones. The Widow, children, family and former commissioned officers laid wreaths at the grave, which was beside that of Air Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye, former Air Force Commander, who was among the eight executed officers.
