Superintendent Salifu Dagarti: The valiant bodyguard who shielded Dr. Kwame Nkrumah from bullets.

 

Superintendent Salifu Dagarti, the devoted and steadfast protector of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was one of the prominent individuals who played a crucial role in thwarting the assassination attempt on Nkrumah's life.

 

Salifu Dagarti, the loyal bodyguard who bravely intercepted a bullet intended for Nkrumah, was born in July 1931 in Kumasi.

He was the son of a former corporal in the Gold Coast police force. He was a Ghanaian law enforcement official who ascended through the ranks to achieve the esteemed position of Superintendent.

 

After completing a six-month training program in England, he returned to Ghana to serve as an instructor and superintendent at the Ghana Police Training School in Accra. Due to his dedication and diligent work ethic, he was subsequently reassigned to Osu Castle, the official residence of the President of Ghana, where he assumed the role of the President's personal bodyguard.

During Nkrumah's presidency, he encountered numerous obstacles from his political adversaries and insurgents vying for control of the nation.

Nkrumah survived numerous assassination attempts, one of the most notable being the Kulungugu bomb attempt on August 1, 1962. Despite the danger, Nkrumah managed to evade the threat to his life. Another close call occurred during the Independence Day celebration in 1964, when Nkrumah was targeted by a bomb, only to be saved by a youngschoolgirl at the time.

 

On Thursday, January 2, 1964, Kwame Nkrumah intended to attend a luncheon and other high-level meetings at the castle, accompanied by Superintendent Salifu Dagarti. While crossing the road towards the president's residence, a gunshot was fired in Nkrumah's direction by Constable Ametewee, who was a member of the security team at the castle. Superintendent Salifu Dagarti intercepted the five bullets intended for Nkrumah.

 

Following the attack, Superintendent Salifu Dagarti was swiftly transported to the 37 Military Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. A medical professional later confirmed that he passed away due to the gunshot wounds.

Superintendent Salifu Dagarti was accorded a state funeral and laid to rest at the Osu Cemetery.

He departed from this world at the young age of 33.

 

By Governor Multicdb