General News of Wednesday, 27 November 2002

Source: .

Ex-Soldier Pleads For Forgiveness

Ex-Corporal Matthew Adabuga who says he participated in the 31st December 1981 Revolution has asked for forgiveness for the role he played during the revolution.

"I will plead through you to the people of Ghana, particularly, those who were directly victimised by our bogus 31st December Revolution, to accept our plea, against the backdrop of our tender ages at that time," he said at a new conference in Accra.

"Even I, who was the most senior amongst them, was only 24 years, and at that age it was easy for Flt. Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, to deceive and manipulate us. I am not by this suggesting in any measure that we are not blameable. I only realised that we were all misled and that all that we stood for was nothing but vanity."

Flanked by Major Esah Mohammed (Rtd), Major Antwi Boateng (Rtd), Captain Ben E. Duah, (Rtd), executive members of the Association of Victims of Revolutionary Injustice, Cpl Adabuga said he and his younger colleagues who are dead or alive are truly sorry for their roles.

He said even though he has visited the offices of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to tell his story, he thought it wise to make an open statement to all Ghanaians about his involvement in the murders.