'Flogging' Chief Granted Bail

A Kumasi Circuit Court has granted a GHS50,000 bail with one surety to the Chief of Ejisu-Besease for flogging a teacher. Nana Kofi Acheampong faces charges of assault and threat of life, after he caned 54-year old Francis Kattah on accusation of smoking �wee� (Indian hemp) in public.

He will report to the police every working day till 14th July, when he is due to re-appear in court. Nana Acheampong ended up in court for the first hearing after a supposed meeting of police, the chief, his victim and representatives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers.

Wearing a striped T-shirt over a black pair of trousers in the dock, the chief repeatedly wiped sweat off his face with a handkerchief as he listened to arguments between his counsel and prosecutor.

Police Chief Superintendent Moses Atibila prayed the court presided by Mr. William Frimpong, to remand the accused. This he said, was to allow police more time to search for an accomplice, said to be the man who made the allegation of �wee� smoking against Mr. Kattah to the chief.

The court however granted him bail but he would have to report to the police Monday to Friday until the second hearing.Francis Kattah who was in court expressed satisfaction at developments so far.

He told Nhyira News he is appeased with the prosecution. He said �justice is in the process of being administered. So I am quiet happy�. With the case being pursued in court, he is concerned about his security and that of his family.

�Well I only have to be very careful because I am still in the community there so my safety is my concern now� he said.

Meanwhile, the teachers association has called for immediate transfer of Mr. Kattah from Besease to protect him and his family. Municipal GNAT Secretary Adjen Frimpong told Nhyira News the association apart from the moral and financial support it is offering Mr. Kattah, it is also supporting to fight the case to its logical conclusion.

While condemning the conduct of the chief, GNAT also called on its members to support their colleagues by being present at all court hearings.

�We condemn the framing up of the teacher; we condemn the humiliation and threat of life of the teacher. We are urging our members, we are not asking them to strike but we are advising that they can learn from this case�, he said.

Source: Ohemeng Tawiah/Nhyira FM/Kumasi