Lt. Gen. Ankrah On Investigation of "Operation Guitar Boy" | Anti-NLC Abortive Coup | April 1967

Saturday, April 22nd 1967.
Footage of General Joseph Arthur Ankrah, the Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC), the military junta of Ghana, outlining the steps that were been taken to bring to trial the instigators of "Operation Guitar Boy", the abortive coup led by Lt. Samuel Arthur, Lt. Moses Yeboah and 2nd Lt. Osei-Poku.
He was speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Information in Accra.
Reuters Text:
In an Accra press-conference ... Lieutenant General Ankrah, Chairman of the National Liberation Council (N.L.C.), gave details of recent developments in his investigation of Monday's abortive coup. Latest discoveries include a "master plan" to kill all senior army officers above the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Military tribunals will be held next week for leaders of the attempt to overthrow the constitution. General Ankrah said that those men directly responsible for the murder of Army Commander Lieutenant-General E.K. Kotoka, his batman, and two captains would be dealt with first. There would follow at tribunal for all others involved.
The masterplan to kill all senior officers contained the names of all those to be killed. It was believed to be drawn up by the alleged leader of the coup, 27-year-old Lieutenant Sam B. Arthur of the Reconnaissance Squadron based at the town of Ho. He was assisted by a squad of 120 men.
Lt. Gen. Ankrah's Comments:
"We would like this morning to tell you the steps we have taken since last Monday. Steps are being taken to reinforce the security of the vulnerable points of the Government. Service enquiries have begun to investigate the circumstance leading to the murder of Lieutenant General Kotoka; Captain Avever; and Captain Berklee; and Sergeant Osei Grunshie, and also to establish as far as possible the origin and the motives of this insurrection. We hope that these investigations now in progress will cover all possible aspects of the security of the State. Meanwhile, proceedings have begun to try by Military Tribunal those who have been identified as being directly responsible for the murder of Lt. General Kotoka. This trial will begin next week. I would like here and now to mention as far as we've got the master plan which we've discovered indicates clearly an intention of young junior officers who had planned to assassinate all senior officers to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel."
Source: Reuters News Archive.