Parliament remembers slain soldiers
MP criticises government over decision on
criminal libel law
Parliament remembers slain soldiers
Accra (Greater Accra), 01 March 2001
Parliament on Wednesday paid tribute to Ghanaians who lost their lives in the nation's independence struggle, particularly the three soldiers who were gunned down at the Osu Crossroads by the colonial police on February 28, 1948.
Consequently, the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, has directed that a message be sent to the families of the dead soldiers and those of "The Big Six" who also played a major role in the independence struggle.
The colonial police commissioner shot and killed Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey of the West African Frontier Force on their way to present a petition to the Governor over the low gratuity paid them after fighting for the British Government in World War II.
The Big Six, who served various prison terms for their agitation for independence from the British, were Dr. J.B. Danquah, Sir William Ofori Atta and Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The rest were Mr Ako Adjei, Mr Obetsebi Lamptey and Mr Casely Hayford.
Mr J.H. Mensah, Majority Leader and Minister for Government Business, who introduced the discussion, in a statement, said the three soldiers epitomised the strength of the ordinary man in the struggle for independence.
He said their death awakened the consciousness of the ordinary man to join in the struggle for freedom and they must be accorded their proper place in history to give inspiration to the youth.
Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC Hohoe South, described the role of the slain soldiers as "a catalyst to our independence struggle" and said the government must endeavour to sustain the economic and political freedom that is the dream of all Ghanaians.
He advised the government to avoid joining the club of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) because it would mean economic bondage and a spite in the faces of those who staked their lives for economic and political freedom.
Captain Nkrabeah Effa-Dartey, NPP Berekum, said there are many unsung heroes in
our history who must be honoured, and called on playwrights and writers to immortalise them through their works.
He added that the victims of the recent "Kume preko" protests must be given justice through a public inquest to bring the perpetrators of such lawlessness to book.
Mr Joseph Darko Mensah, NPP Okaikwei North, advised the police and other law enforcement operatives to use their judgement to determine the sort of orders they should carry out from their superior officers.
He said if an order is not in the supreme national interest, it should be disobeyed by junior ranks in order to avert the loss of innocent lives who would otherwise have contributed positively to national development.
Mr Victor Gbeho, IND Anlo, said the courage of the three soldiers brought the agitation for independence to the mass level and urged the youth to stand up and be counted.
He said the spirit of voluntarism and selfless service to the nation were on the decline and the memory of the slain soldiers must be amplified to inspire the youth to take up the challenge of selflessness in the overall interest of the nation.
Mr Branford Adu, NPP Okere, suggested that a scholarship scheme be instituted in the memory of the country's political heroes as a mark of recognition of their contributions to nation building.
Major Samuel Amponsah (Rtd.), NDC Mpohor/Wassa East, said the previous government tried to improve the gratuity of soldiers and advised the NPP administration to further enhance the out-of-service payment to security personnel in appreciation of their relevance to the nation.
He said the army command must try to establish a committee to educate all soldiers on national issues to keep them abreast with the realities of the time.
Dr. Kwame Ampofo, NDC South Dayi, lauded the arrangement for this year's Independence Day celebration, which, he said, has been scheduled to commence
from February 28 and end on March 6.
He said this arrangement gives credence to the important role the three soldiers played in the attainment of Ghana's independence and the celebration must be crafted to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in the youth.
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MP criticises government over decision on
criminal libel law
Accra (Greater Accra), 01 March 2001
Mr Francis Agboste, NDC-Ho East, on Wednesday criticised the government over its decision to repeal the criminal libel law, saying the media are not responsible enough to deserve such a deal.
According to him, the law provides for the needed remedy for deliberate defamation of public figures who are usually targets of blackmail.
The member was contributing to the debate on the president's sessional address in Parliament.
He said the civil remedy being proposed by the anti-criminal libel law groups is not very effective since fines imposed on the guilty are hardly paid.
Mr Agboste cautioned the President to reconsider his stand since he may even fall victim to blackmailers hiding behind the press.
The member insisted that no one has ever suffered imprisonment for falling foul of that particular law.
This attracted heckling from members who were calmed by the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, who told the member that had it not been the fact that he was debarred from contributing to debates, he would have given him examples.
Mr Abraham Osei-Aidoo, NPP-Tema West, said the law would be repealed since the government is committed to the creation of a congenial atmosphere for free speech and expression.
He said even if the law is left to stand dormant, the threat would still linger in people's minds and that will not augur well for the nation.
Mr Adjei Yeboah, NPP-Tano South, condemned politicians who see themselves as guardians of the media.
"It is the press that help politicians to come to the limelight and when they get what they want, they hide behind laws to cow the media.
"I will not be surprised if one of these days we are called to debate a legislation to determine the type of pen and camera journalists are supposed to use."
Mrs Comfort Owusu, NDC-Mfanstiman East, appealed to Ghanaians to keep the peace, and urged politicians to begin the peace crusade with their followers.
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