Rawlings gave my 60-year-old father 24 lashes for overloading his vehicle - Oboy Siki
Kumawood actor Oboy Siki has shared a personal and poignant story about his father, Amana, who faced harsh punishment during the regime of former President Jerry John Rawlings. This story offers a glimpse into the challenges ordinary citizens faced during that era.
Amana, a teacher and successful entrepreneur who owned 12 vehicles, had a habit of overloading his vehicle, which was tolerated by a friendly local police officer. However, when Rawlings came to power, he strictly enforced a ban on overloading, and Amana’s practice was suddenly deemed illegal.
Despite the risk, Amana continued to overload his vehicle, believing his relationship with the police officer would protect him. However, he was eventually caught and arrested, and the authorities handed down a harsh punishment – 24 lashes.
“My dad’s car, which had a capacity for 33 passengers, would sometimes carry 70. His continuous overloading eventually resulted in his arrest.”
Oboy Siki’s father was around 60 years old at the time and was subjected to a grueling punishment that left a lasting impact on their family.
“At the police station, the commander decided that the punishment for his violation was 12 lashes, plus an additional lash for each extra passenger. As a result, he received 24 lashes. He was around 60 years old at the time. His popularity in the area made the incident quite surprising.”
The actor’s story serves as a reminder of the strict enforcement of rules during Rawlings’ tenure and the impact it had on ordinary citizens like his father.
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