“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 boggling 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)

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