Renowned military officer and a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Captain Kojo Tsikata, has died.
Prime News' sources say the former Head of National Security and Foreign Affairs of the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime had been battling an undisclosed illness for a long time.
The cause of his death on Saturday, November 20, 2021, is unknown but close family sources link his death to his long illness.
Mr Tsikata had been away from the public eye for the past decade.
In 1982 he was appointed by former President and late former Chairman of the PNDC, Jerry John Rawlings, to serve in his regime as the head of national security.
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He also served as a member of the Council of State.
Captain Tsikata was a holder of the Solidarity Award and of the Order of "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes," conferred on him by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.
He died at the age of 85.
Murder controversy
A retired supreme court judge, Mr Justice G. E. K. Aikins, intimated that Captain Tsikata was implicated in the kidnapping and murder of three high court judges and a retired army officer on 30 June 1983 during the PNDC regime and was never tried.
Among the suspects were Captain Kojo Tsikata and Sergeant Aloga Akata-Pore, both key members of the then PNDC.
Ghanaians brought Tsikata under scrutiny, but during the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) hearing he denied being involved with the killing of the judges.
There was also insufficient evidence to prosecute Captain Tsikata according to the Attorney General of Ghana's detailed reasons. One reason was that, before the execution of the sole witness, he withdrew his accusation against Captain Tsikata.
Joachim Amartey Quaye, one of the architects of the murderous incident, was imprisoned and some soldiers, Tekpor, Dzandzu, and Helki, were all found guilty of murder, sentenced to death, and executed by firing squad.One of the convicted, Amedeka, escaped prison and has not been seen since.