Former New Patriotic Party Flagbearer hopeful Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko has recounted how his life was nearly taken by soldiers under the military regime of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings in 1983.

In a statement sent to GhanaWeb, Agyarko, a former Minister for Energy, shared his experience of being seized by the military and taken to their camp where he was shot after enduring severe torture.

The former energy minister expressed gratitude to the doctors at the 37 Military Hospital who saved his life after the soldiers attempted to kill him.

"Exactly 40 years ago today, I was seized by a detachment of soldiers from the Ghana Army, driven to the Air Force Station at Burma Camp, and shot at close range in an extra-judicial attempt to kill me.

"For hours that seemed like eternity, my young life hang on a bare thread. I am eternally grateful to God that it was in His hands that that bare thread was held," he wrote.


He added, "He (God) used His instrument in the person of Lt. Col. Dr. Albert Kwaku Akpalu and the staff at the 37 Military Hospital to nurse me back to health. As painful as the experience and the memories continue to be, I am thankful to God for it has made me a much better person. All glory be to God."


Reflecting on the incident, Agyarko expressed concern that the same mindset and attitudes that led to his attack in 1983 still exist in Ghana.

He called on Ghanaians to embrace new mentalities and attitudes to bring about positive change in the country.

"My only regret is that the mindset and attitudes that made such a horrible act possible are still with us, yearning for a cure. I am a consummate optimist and hold the unshakable belief that together, we can continue to strive to make Ghana the happy and prosperous place God intends it to be. We all have a responsibility in making it so. Therefore, let us dare to be great."

A detailed medical report shared by the former minister revealed the severity of his injuries and the danger he faced after being shot.

Lt. Col. Dr. Albert Kwaku Akpalu, in the report, described how Boakye Agyarko was shot in the abdomen on June 19, 1983, and brought to the hospital for treatment.


“Mr. Boakye Agyarko was unfortunately picked up by soldiers during the June 19, 1983, insurrection; taken to the Air Force Station and shot in the abdomen. He was rushed to the Military Hospital where he was admitted, treated, and discharged on August 1, 1983.

"Same day around 1900 hours he was in severe shock from excessive blood loss from his numerous wounds. The entry wound was on the right anterior abdomen in the right iliac fossa and the exit wound was in the right lumbar area," part of the medical report read.


The report continued, detailing the extent of Agyarko's injuries, including lacerations to his intestines, colon, and lumbar-sacral muscles, as well as a fracture of the right iliac crest.

"On the same day at 1930 hours the following pathology was found: a. gunshot wound with laceration of the whole wall of the right iliac fossa anterior abdominal wall. b. Lacerated intestine jejunum and ileum, in several areas. c. Lacerated transverse colon about its right side. d. Lacerated (sic). e. Faecal matter in the peritoneum leading to early faecal peritonitis. f. Laceration of the lower lumbar-sacral muscles. g. Fracture of the right iliac crest."



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