George Boakye Explained

Air Vice-Marshal George Yaw Boakye
Office:Member of the Supreme Military Council
Term Start:1976
Term End:4 June 1979
President:Fred Akuffo
(Head of state)
Birth Date:25 December 1937
Death Place:Accra, Ghana
Nationality:Ghanaian
Spouse:Beatrice Afua Boakye
Children:5
Profession:Soldier
Allegiance:Ghana
Branch:Ghana Air Force
Serviceyears:1959 - 1979
Rank:Air Vice-Marshal
Commands:Chief of Air Staff

Air Vice-Marshal George Yaw Boakye (25 December 1937 – 26 June 1979) was an airman and politician. He is a former Commander of the Ghana Air Force (November 1976 - June 1979) and member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) in Ghana. He became a member of the SMC in November 1976 by virtue of his position as the Commander of the Ghana Air Force. He was executed by firing squad on 26 June 1979.

Reburial

In 2001, the widows of the executed Generals and Colonel petitioned to President Kuffuor who ordered that their remains be exhumed. On 27 December 2001 the skeletal remains of the three Ghanaian military heads of state, Generals and Colonel, were returned to their families at a military chapel; 22 years after the Generals were executed in one of the West African country's bloodiest episodes since independence. The ceremony in the capital Accra, attended by more than 2,000 people wearing black and red mourning clothes, was part of efforts by the then President, John Kufuor, to draw a line under a dark chapter in the former British colony's history.[1] On 27 December 2001 Air Vice-Marshal Boakye and Major General Kotei, lying in caskets draped in the national flag, were buried with full military honours at the Osu Military Cemetery in Accra.[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: Ghana reburies past in quest for reconciliation . 2007-06-07 . General News of Friday, 28 December 2001 . Ghana Home Page.
  2. News: Two Ex- military generals re-buried at Osu cemetery . 2007-06-06 . General News of Friday, 28 December 2001 . Ghana Home Page.