"Free Tsatsu Tsikata Movement" seeks the NDC's support

Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - The "Free Tsatsu Tsikata Movement", a campaign of loyalist calling for Mr Tsikata's freedom, on Thursday called on the executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to solicit support for the cause.

The movement intends to campaign vigorously in some regional capitals to press their demand for the release of Mr Tsikata, a former boss of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), who has been convicted of wilfully causing financial loss to the state. The spokesperson for the group, Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr. said the movement was taking the campaign to public places and various forums to bring to bear on Ghanaians the "irregularities" in the trial leading to Mr Tsikata's conviction and other emerging issues in the case, starting with a campaign in Tema on the August 18, 2008. He said the movement intended to meet leaders of all political parties, faith and trade-based organisations and the TUC to present their case and to seek their support in the campaign. Mr Pratt said the concern of the movement was that innocent people should not find themselves in prison irrespective of political affiliations and that the campaign would not only focus on Mr Tsikata alone but ensure that justice was done every Ghanaian who had been denied justice.

He said Ghanaians should appreciate the selfless service rendered to the country by Mr Tsikata, adding that his conviction should not be Mr Tsikata's reward.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, pledged the party's support for the cause because "Tsatsu is innocent and we should not allow injustice to go on".

The movement presented six files of documents relating to Mr Tsikata's trial to the NDC for their study. Tsikata's counsel, Tony Lithur and his wife, Esther were also at the meeting.