Tsikata denies allegations

Accra, Feb. 19 GNA - Captain Kojo Tsikata (rtd), Former National Security Adviser, retired honourably from the Ghana Armed Forces in 1965 with his full gratuity, a statement signed by Mr Kyeretwie Poku, Counsel for Captain Tsikata and made available to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday said.

The statement, which was issued in response to reports in a section of the media, said the reports suggested "that Captain Tsikata in 1965 deserted his regiment and went off to fight as a mercenary in the Congo, was captured by Congolese Forces, was returned to Ghana under a cloud by the late Air Vice Marshall Boakye, investigated by the late Maj. Sam Acquah and dismissed from the Army".

It said this was a gross distortion of history adding that I was "false allegation made in 1964 against Ghana by the Congolese factional government, which controlled Leopoldville is being used against Capt. Tsikata.

"That allegation, to the effect that two Ghanaian military aircraft had delivered weapons to the rival government in Stanleyville, resulted in the detention of Ghanaian military personnel under General Ashley-Larson.

"The crew of the two aircraft had flown to the Congo to bring back a "rear party" of about 20 Ghanaian soldiers, who had completed their tour of duty there.

"Capt. Tsikata, who was staying with Ghana's Ambassador to Leopoldville while on leave, was also detained when he sought to leave the Congo, because his passport identified him as a Ghanaian Military Officer.

"He was, however, released after a few days. When eventually the other Ghanaian Officers and men were released, Capt. Tsikata and the Ambassador accompanied them back to Ghana in the two air force planes. Capt. Tsikata and the Ambassador were piloted by Gen. Ashley-Larson and not AVM Boakye."

The statement said "Capt. Tsikata was never investigated by Maj. Acquah (or by any one else) in connection with these events".