'I couldn’t have refused an order' – Major Adjei-Ampofo explains why he took part in 1966 coup

Major Patrick Adjei-Ampofo (rtd) has recounted how he survived a fierce exchange of gunfire during the February 24, 1966 coup, saying he believed years later that his survival had a purpose.

The retired officer said the truck he was travelling in came under fire and he was thrown from the vehicle after a weapon was fired at it.

He said he lost consciousness briefly and, when he regained awareness, found the truck burning while people were lying on the ground.

“I must have passed out and so when I came to, the truck was burning. People were lying on the floor, shouting,” he told Kafui Dey in an interview.

His immediate concern, he said, was to recover his weapon.

“I didn’t have my weapon. Then I realised the weapon was a few feet away and I crawled to take it,” he said.

According to Major Adjei-Ampofo, security personnel positioned across from the area were firing at them, with tracer ammunition making it possible to see the trajectory of the bullets.

He said he had to repeatedly dodge the gunfire as he moved towards his weapon.

“Every time I got nearer, you could see the traces. They were using tracer bullets with light. So you could see them hitting the floor to the area where my gun was,” he said.

He eventually reached the weapon, grabbed the sling and rolled away before taking cover in a shallow trench.

It was there that he encountered other soldiers who had also sought protection from the gunfire.

He said he initially did not understand what was happening or who was in charge.

“I wanted to protect myself. I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know who was in charge. I didn’t know anything,” he recalled.

The operation came at a heavy cost. Major Adjei-Ampofo said seven soldiers were lost.

He later discovered that some of the soldiers travelling with him had survived after falling from the moving truck and sustaining injuries. They were taken to the 37 Military Hospital.

Those who remained on the truck to guard the ammunition, however, died.

Major Adjei-Ampofo said the experience remained significant to him decades later.

“I tell you, years later I look back and I said, God is directing me. Okay, where do you want me to go? Because I should have died. I didn’t die,” he said.