Isle businessman freed
from prison in Ghana

Answer: Kevin Andrews was released Sept. 30 from a Ghanaian prison, where he was held from July 10 for alleged breach of contract. He has returned to Waimanalo.

Andrews said his sister in Chicago contacted the Lutheran Church, which intervened on his behalf and sought his release.

Kurtis Smith, who served as a Lutheran prison minister in Accra, Ghana, confirmed that Ghanaian Lutheran pastors helped Andrews obtain a lawyer.

Smith, now in Louisiana, said he did not get involved in prisoners' cases and did not know the specifics of Andrews' case except what he told him.

"We saw him get released, so we figured ... the charges were unfounded," Smith said.

Andrews said American Embassy officials did not get involved because it was a civil matter.

A writ issued by the High Court of Ghana alleged breach of contract regarding machinery that Andrews was to install for a chili pepper-drying process.

While he was imprisoned, Carol Andrews had said her husband was accused of not setting up the equipment in a timely manner. She said he was having trouble getting parts.

Kevin Andrews alleges, however, that he had demanded $250,000 payment from Seth Tei, owner of Delta Foods, because Tei ordered more equipment. He said he was unlawfully jailed and that Tei paid a judge, who allegedly set bail at $5 million.