Elizabeth Asantewaa’s injury occurred when a bomb exploded at the Accra Sports Stadium on 6th March 1964, as she was about presenting a bouquet to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at an Independence anniversary celebration.
Sixty-five-year-old Elizabeth Asantewaa sits in her chair with an amputated limb and a decaying leg. She was too young at the time to understand what had happened to her.
As time went on she grew to understand her situation.
Elizabeth Asantewaa, suffered injuries when a bomb exploded on 6th March 1964, as she was about presenting a bouquet to Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at an Independence anniversary celebration.
“What I just saw was boom, it lifted me up and brought me back onto the ground. It was a big blast. All I saw was my leg burning,” she said.
Thankfully she survived, but 51 years on, she is a pauper, afraid her deteriorating health could kill her at any moment.
Elizabeth Asantewaa’s leg was amputated to prevent the spread of the impact of the bomb explosion so she could continue to live.
Her disfigured supporting leg is equally decaying by the day. She usually walks with the support of crutches.
Today the case is different. Her condition worsens daily due to lack of medical care. Elizabeth does not only feel neglected but is hurt and upset.“I feel general weakness, I need constant massage, I often feel dizzy. It’s tough for me.”
In her case, if her pain does not kill her hunger might.
“Sometimes when I don’t have money, I only drink water and sleep.”
Bibliography:
Felix Akoyam(16-03-2015). “Blown up limb, blown up dreams: 1964 Independence Day bomb victim still in pain” www.myjoyonline.com Archived from the original story on 12-12-2019