General News of Tuesday, 19 June 2007

Source: Ghanaian Voice

Nduom to rescue Kulungugu bomb victim

A surviving victim of the Kulungugu bomb attempt targeted at Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is to receive help from Public Sector Reform Minister, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom.

Nduom’s gesture to assist Madam Elizabeth Asantewaa, follows a publication in the Daily Ghanaian Voice which told of her decades of dejectedness after the incident.

Nduom is reported to have called the offices of the newspaper with the promise to offer support for her.

Dr. Nduom who is also the Member of Parliament for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Constituency in the Central Region stated among other things that he was deeply touched by the sad story of Madam Asantewaa.

Dr. Ndoum is reported to have offered to foot Asantewaa’s hospital bills to enable her undergo an operation and also provide her help to end begging vocation.

"We don't have facilities that are used to help the needy so I will personally provide to make her comfortable", he is quoted by the paper.

Elizabeth Asantewaa, then a school girl, was bombed whilst presenting a bouquet of flowers to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in the early sixties.

Elizabeth Asantewaa lost a leg to the bombing, and ever since the overthrow of the CPP government on the 24th February 1966, she has been left to her fate.

Elizabeth said she owes her life to the Dansoman Exhibition Branch of the Assemblies of God church which has been supporting her.

The church has rented a one-room apartment at Osofo Dadzie (Dansoman)in Accra.

The paper said she nearly drowned in the last rain storm as the floods filled her room, destroying the few possessions she has.

What is worse, her landlord is ejecting her because her rent advance has long expired.

“Though in physical and emotional pain, Elizabeth Asantewaa was at the funeral of Fathia Nkrumah to pay her last respect.”

She appealed to the Government and individuals to come to her aid.