History is indeed a rich source of lessons, offering insights into human behavior, societal patterns, and the consequences of actions. It’s like a vast, messy library of everything we’ve done—triumphs, mistakes, and all.
Ghana has traveled a long way from the Bond of 1844 to the Rule of Law we enjoyed under the 1992 constitution. Therefore, revisiting the past should be an exercise of sobber reflection and make sure that our past mistakes do not revisit us in the future.
For this reason, the study of history is important to understand why things are the way they are and how to navigate the future. As a country, the respect for our Judges in any court however remote is on high pedestal. When Anas undercover documentary made judges the center for attraction, every well-meaning Ghanaian was concern, because, safeguarding the status of a Judge from embellishment of corruption is crucial to nation building.
Today, we are reminded of the tragedy that took place Wednesday 30th June 1982. This horrible event was the gruesome murder of three (3) High Court Judges and one (1) retired army officer. The event that begun with the abduction of three judges and a retired officer during a curfew night and the fear that grip the justice system only allowed for prayers to said and hope for their return.
However, the fear of the nation and the Judiciary became a reality when it was published that Mr. Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee, Mrs. Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow and Mr. Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong, all judges of the High Court and Major Acquah, a retired army officer, have been savagely murdered.
Four lives were lost, three (3) Justices of the High Court and one (1) retired army officer. Every life is important and no one has the power to unjustly take the life of another. However, recounting such an event should not become a merchandise of political tragedy, were particular political party (New Patriotic Party) sought to profit from the tragic event and recount it in ways that it deems fit for various occurrences.
What happened after the murder is something that is ignored in political recounting of historical event. First, all Judges in Ghana were given armed security for their protection under the Military Government of Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). Again, the PDNC publicly declared that it was horrified by the crime and sanctioned a Special Investigation Board into the crime.
The investigation was chaired by former Chief Justice of Ghana, the Late Mr. Justice Samuel Azu Crabbe. Their work highlighted bravery and exceptional professionalism of the late Chief Superintendent Jacob Jabuni Yidana, an officer of the Ghana Police Service who helped produce one of the best criminal investigations ever witnessed in Ghana. At the end of the investigation, the Special Investigation Board submitted their report which was made public and accompanied government white paper.
The Special Investigation Board findings led to the prosecution of Joachim Amartey Kwei, Lance Corporals Samuel Amedeka and Michael Senyah, and two ex-soldiers: Johnny Dzandu and Tonny Tekpor. During their trial, some broke jail and were rearrested. All were sentenced to death in execution of sentence and L/Cpl Amedeka was sentenced in absentia.
The crime was investigated and the culprits were given retributive punishment. Regardless of the punishment, it won’t bring back the lost noble souls. However, any attempt to revisit history should be done with the hope of learning and ensure that past mistakes do not revisit us in the future.
The Martyr’s Day saw unjust killing of Judges, however, there are also many unjust killings that has been witnessed under the 4th Republic of Ghana. Many of these killing have not found the culprits.
The most recent ones include Techiman South killing – 8 innocent voters were shot dead, Ayawaso West Wuogon shooting during bye-election. What is interesting is how investigative report into some of these events were never made public. The Zongo 7 killings – civilians killed by police officer under the disguised of being armed robbers. The entire Zongo community refuted government’s claim that they were armed robbers, the public outburst later saw the families being compensated but the police officers involved were not punished. Needless to say, that all these recent killings happened under the watch of former President Nana Addo.
Therefore, as a country, lets strive to ensure that the past mistakes don’t visit us and only learn for history but not dwell in our past. Most importantly, let’s not allow ourselves to patronize the tragedy of lost souls for political expediencies.
Article by
Nathaniel Dwamena
He is the President of YAFO Institute and a free-market policy analyst in Ghana.
