Two of the dead identified

by the "Times" reporter, Friday 12 May 1995

Two of the dead in yesterday's demo have been identified as Jerry Oppey, 25, who was shot, and Adama Horgar, 13 a Junior Secondary School (JSS) student who died through knife wounds.

Of those shot, one's brains were gushed out while the other's intestine protruded.

Two police officers arrested one man in connection with the shooting and confiscated his pistol.

According to the police, 17 others who received gunshot wounds were sent to Korle Bu and Police Hospitals in Accra for emergency operations.

They are Abdul Razak, Yaw Obeng, Yaw Kyei, Kwasi Adam, Kwabena Twum, Akwasi Ababio, Kwabena Appiah, George Agyiri, George Asamani, Yaw Atta, all on admission at Korle Bu Hospital.

On admission at the Police Hospital are Collins Appianing, Kofi Amoako, Addo Sey, Amoakohene, Peter Attanga, Abdul Rahman Osumanu and Charity Amadu.

The police said 10 people who sustained other injuries were treated at the Police Hospital and discharged.

Ten people who went on a looting spree were also arrested by the police.

Some of the demonstrators used coconut to smash the side glass of vehicles in traffic and looted valuables. A police spokesman said the looters would be arraigned before the courts.

Economic activities within Accra, especially the central business centre comprising the Makola, UTC and High Street areas came to a standstill. The various shops and banking institutions were closed to the public.

The streets were deserted whilst thousands of people climbed on roof tops to watch the demonstration. Warning shots were fired by the police to deter the demonstrators from destroying public property.

The demonstrators, carrying placards such as VAT is a killer", A meal a day is hard", "Times are Hard for us" started from Kwame Nkrumah Circle through the Nkrumah Avenue, Kojo Thompson Road to the Makola Market area at 11 am.

Chanting war songs and beating drums, the demonstrators destroyed kiosks along the Kimberly Avenue, Chandirams, Derby Avenue and COCOBOD area. They also molested people who refused to join them.

Security was however, very tight as policemen were deployed at vantage points for any eventuality.

A helicopter hovering around the General Post Office and UTC areas was hooted at by the demonstrators.

After their march, they assembled at the lorry station behind the NOVOTEL where they were addressed by some members of the opposition.

Among those identified in the demonstration were Mr Kweku Baako Jnr., Dr Charles Wereko Brobby and Mr Kwesi Pratt.

In his address, Nana Akuffo Addo said it was the hope of the Alliance to fight the govt to free the people. Dr Wereko Brobby said the action by the group was meant to force the govt to step down, adding that the govt had imposed untold hardship on the people and that should be resisted.

Mr Kwesi Pratt asked the demonstrators to gird their loins and fight for a change. He said " We have reached a very serious stage and we are serious about it. There is no return".

Mr Kweku Baako appealed to the demonstrators to show their support anytime they were invited and commended them for their effort "in opposing a system that had brought hardship to the people"