The patriot and icon, Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa.

“Boom, boom, boom”

I hear a cry of pain. What was that?

“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem?”

Someone retorted.

“Don’t you know

That the one and only Okatakyie,

The man who thrice laid down his life

For all Ghanaians is at the execution gate?”

Bang, bang, bang

A flying bullet to its target.

Defiantly he stands

“More action, give him more!”

The crowd yells.

An officer walks up to him

A loaded S M G in readiness

The trigger is pressed

Down goes the mighty oak

Okatakyie drops down dead.

Anything gained? One may ask

What is amiss? Why such torture?

Why exhibit such cruelty,

Man’s insensibility to his fellow human being?

Rumours links his calamity

To a letter he wrote to General Akuffo.

Was that his crime?

A big no!

To the probe he voluntarily went

Subjected to the most humiliating questions.

Exonerated, he came out a clean person

Is it then true, the charge of

Reckless dissipation of public funds?

Honestly, No!

Morally, No!!

Logically, No! No!! No!!!

His crime then?

Anxious Ghanaians demand.

The question remains unanswered

And will remain so for long.

Vigorous the 1979 Campaign was

Tiresome, wearisome, chaotic and mind bogging

Walking, jogging, ridding, driving, sometimes running

No rest, bubbling with energy

Everywhere the message was pronounced loud and clear

“I am Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaah Afrifa

I am running for Parliament”.

A good heart he had

Excitement of politics carried him far

No patience, at times no tolerance

Cautious, cautioned, advised and even reprimanded

That was the Great Okatakyie

The end justifies the means

And so truly it was

The announcement –

Mampong North Constituency

Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaah Afrifa

United Nation Convention - winner!

But lo! No time for celebration.

Armoured cars surround Krobo Township

“Should I resist? He asked

“No, I am the re-incarnation of Tweneboa Kodua.

Take me and I will go”.

The obnoxious Article 72 did not gain his support

Selfishness – No way!

Tribalism Not with him!!

Corruption – Out of question

For he was Mr. Clean

Dedicated, loyal, patriotic. Philanthropic

Union Government nauseated him.

A peacemaker,

He did not ferment trouble.

O motherland, I weep for you

Why this cry for more blood?

Forget not the saying

“Lord I ask for mercy”

Remember also this injunction

“My son, life is precious

Thou shalt not take it”.

We all hailed him more than once

We loved, followed and cherish him

Why then this cry for his blood?

But have you forgotten the old adage

That success is followed by failure

And glory by disgrace?

So it was with Okatakyie!

Judged as a soldier,

Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa was undeniable great

His military genius was equal to that

Which fate entrusted upon him.

Here goes a leader and inspirer

As mighty as Okatakyie

When comes such another?

Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaah Afrifa is dead

But the ideals he believed in

Are still with us!

His physical body might have departed

But his spirit dominates our action.

(This is the second part of my earlier tribute to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the brutal murder of my inspirer, Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa. He was eliminated by a cabal of self seeking and visionless looters of our collective destiny on 26th June, 1979).

Daniel Danquah Damptey (0243715297)

(danieldanquah_damptey@yahoo.com) (damptey_daniel@yahoo.com)