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Last words of General Acheampong: ‘Take my wedding ring and pray for me before my execution’
Counting minutes or seconds to one’s death could be devastating and even leave one utterly dumbfounded, yet a military officer and Ghana’s former Head of State who was awaiting execution thought it wise to seek God’s clemency before his death by firing squad.
“Take this wedding ring and pray for me that God will accept me just as l am.” These were the last words which came from the trembling lips of the late Gen Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in the Roman Catholic Chapel at the Burma Villas, at Burma Camp, Accra.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator at his base at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, Rev Fr Col Matthias Kumesi, then a Major and a Catholic Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces who was asked to prepare the senior military officers spiritually and entrust their souls to God before they were executed in `1979, intimated that it was a traumatic experience for him to go through as a Catholic priest.
He said he was shocked because he asked General Acheampong whether he should give the ring to his wife, but the former Ghanaian leader told the military priest to rather keep it and pray for his soul as he was going to meet his Maker.
Rev Fr Col Kumesi said Maj Gen Edward Kwaku Utuka, a former Border Guard Commander who was to be shot with Acheampong also enguired from him to give a bag he had to his wife, which he did, adding that it was possible for him to do so because he lived at Awudome Estate in Accra with his (Utuka’s) family.
“When l carried the bag to Utuka’s wife and informed her that the husband had been executed, she broke down in tears and wept bitterly but later paused at a point and asked me to do her a favour by picking up her daughter from the Achimota School. At the school, l obtained permission from the authorities and came home with the daughter,” he said.
The Chaplain General said it was sad to note that the rest of the officers could not give him any messages to their families, hence their inability to tell him something, but he believed they were struck by shock.
“Imagine receiving such a chilling command by a telephone call at midnight which frantically rocks one to the marrow, disturbing one’s sleep and leaving one in a confused state of mind,” he said.
He said that he was tasked to prepare soldiers who were to be executed, adding that under such circumstances he was compelled to move to the chapel to wait for the arrival of those to be executed. But he could not succinctly explain why the task fell on him.
The then Chaplain General said those earmarked for execution were brought in handcuffs but he requested that the handcuffs be removed before they were ushered into the chapel.
Rev Fr Col Kumesi said while in the chapel some, of them got confused and sat very calm. “It is, indeed, tragic to walk to one’s death. We know that when struck with ailment, one has the hope to either survive by divine healing or by administering a potent medicine. But l tell you it is not easy,” he said.
He stated that since it was difficult to look into their faces, he rather faced the altar, prayed for them, calmed their nerves and encouraged them that God was waiting to welcome them into His Kingdom.
By Raymond Kyekye
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News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
