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06.03.2009 Tragedy

NPP Organizer Killed

By Daily Guide
NPP Organizer Killed
06.03.2009 LISTEN

Akwasi Boahen THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) Polling Station Organizer at Old Ayaase in the Fomena Constituency, Akwasi Boahen, 37,   has died after allegedly being hit on the head with a huge stick by Kwadwo Kwakye, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Organizer for Fomena.

This incident occurred after hot verbal exchanges between the deceased, and Kwadwo Kwakye, who is on the run, turned sour after the latter hit the former; causing him to collapse.

Boahen, whose head became swollen was hospitalized for a while but finally died on February 23, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment.

His wife, Adwoa Acheampongmaa who tried to save her   husband during the attack, was also hospitalized and later discharged after Kwakye poked his fingers into her eyes and fled.

There are mixed reactions as to what the real motive behind Boahen's killing is. While NPP functionaries in the constituency insist medical report indicate their colleague died of internal bleeding caused the blow to his head, police could not readily pinpoint the cause of death, though they confirmed that a report was made to them about the incident on the day of the December 28 Presidential Run-off.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE , Akwasi Nti Asamoah, NPP Constituency Chairman of Fomena, insisted Boahen's death was politically motivated.

According to him, the NDC intentionally eliminated the soft spoken and humble Boahen because he had helped the NPP to defeat the NDC on three different polls at Old Ayaase since 2000, which used to be NDC's fortress in the 1990s.  

He said Boahen and Akwasi Antwi, a driver, were returning in a Range Rover laden with some food and other items to Fomena after collating the results of the presidential polls at Old Ayaase.

Upon reaching Ayaase Junction, he indicated that five people, including Kwadwo Kwakye and one other NDC member called Osei Kwadwo, asked for a ride, which they obliged.

Mr. Asamoah noted that after the five had alighted at Fomena, Boahen and the driver realized that some of the food and a bag filled with T-Shirts were missing from the car.

The two assumed Kwadwo Kwakye and Osei Kwadwo had stolen the items. True to their suspicions, when they confronted Osei Kwadwo he admitted it and returned them immediately.

From I.F Joe Awuah, kumasi
The Fomena NPP Chairman said around 7:00 pm, Kwadwo Kwakye who felt embarrassed because Boahen publicly accused him of theft, rushed to the deceased's house where a verbal warfare ensued between the two, leading to the scuffle.

The deceased, he said, was first rushed to the Fomena Health Centre for first aid, and later referred to the New Edubiase Government Hospital where he was admitted for over three weeks.

Since Boahen's health was fast deteriorating he was referred again to the KATH in Kumasi where he died five days later.

Mr. Asamoah said both Kwadwo Kwakye and Osei Kwadwo have since left the town, adding that Kwadwo Kwakye was said to be hiding at Sefwi.

When contacted, DSP Nana Yawson, the Fomena District Police Commander said his men were on the heels of the accused, calling on residents of the area to provide vital information which would lead to his arrest.  

He said it was too early for anyone to read political meanings into what led to Boahen's death, saying “the truth about the cause of death would be known when the accused is arrested and interrogated”.

The Fomena District Police Commander appealed to residents in the area to comport themselves and warned them against taking the law into their hands, promising his outfit's readiness to bring the perpetrators to book.

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