I Support Your Call For Review of Ghana's Criminal Code - President Akufo Addo to Family of Major Mahama

President Akufo Addo has declared his support for calls by the family of the late Major Maxwell Mahama, demanding review of Ghana's Criminal Code, particularly, those that border on the offense of murder. The family's call is as a result of the arrest of over forty (40) persons and subsequent prosecution of only fourteen (14) persons at the High Court. 

The family is of the opinion that the number of persons who were finally charged to face the law were too small compared to the number who were initially arrested. This the family attributes to old provisions in the country's Criminal Code.

Addressing members of the family of the late solider at the Presidency when they paid a courtesy call on him, President Akufo Addo said throughout history, major reforms of the law have been carried out as a result of tragedies that have occurred. Certainly, the tragic death of Major Mahama can be the vehicle through which Ghana can introduce essential reforms to our Criminal Code of 1960, the President articulated. 

President Akufo Addo in his address accepted the sincere gratitude of the family expressed at the meeting, indicating that for every decision taken by his government, it was for and on behalf of the people of Ghana. President Akufo Addo added that if there is anyone or any group of people who deserve any thanks, it is the good people of Ghana.

The leader of the family delegation, Ahmed Zakaria Sakara, registered their sincere thanks for the opportunity to meet the President. The delegation's mission according to the leader, was to thank the President for all the several interventions he put in place to comfort the family at the time of their loss. The family was of the opinion that the trial of only fourteen persons was not enough. They would have wised that all other persons involved who were initially apprehended by the Police, would have been made to answer for their involvement in the murder of their son before a court of competent jurisdiction. They however indicated that they accept the dictates of the law and respect the prosecution processes currently on going. 

The family through its spokesperson also expressed their appreciation to the President for the establishment of the Major Mahama Trust Fund and the commencement of the construction of a national monument in honour of the memory of the late solider. Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on the 29th of May, 2018, inaugurated a seven-member Governing Board for the Major Mahama Trust Fund charging the members to adhere to the tenets of Act 960 in applying the funds for the welfare of the wife and children of the late military officer.

Background

Then Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama, who was part of an anti-galamsey task force, was lynched by a mob at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region on 29th May, 2018, who say they suspected he was a thief. The gruesome murder shocked the entire nation, and led President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to promote him posthumously to Major, give him a state burial and set up a trust fund to cater for his family and other matters. President Akufo-Addo made a personal donation of Ghs50,000, while the state, after the passage by Parliament of the Major Mahama Trust Fund Act, 2017 (Act 960), provided Ghs500,000. The President also ordered the construction of a monument near Burma Camp to serve as a constant reminder to all Ghanaians not to indulge in such acts of shame and dishonour again. 

Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC)

Meanwhile, an eighteen member delegation of old boys of the also paid a courtesy call on the President to officially invite him as Special Guest of Honour for the celebration of the 80th anniversary since the establishment of the school. 

Addressing the delegation of Old Boys of the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School at the Presidency, led by the Rt. Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, President Akufo Addo accepted the invitation and the plan of the school to honour him. 

In his opening address as leader of the delegation, Professor Mike Ocquaye invited the President to grace the 80th anniversary celebration since the establishment of the school as the Special Guest of Honour. Additionally, the school has decided to honour the President with the status of an honorary old boy of the school. The President gladly accepted the invitation and promised that God willing, he would surely be present at the ceremony. 

The delegation presented their 80th anniversary cloth, anniversary shirt, a book entitled 'Stones tell Stories in Osu', written by Professor Henry Nii Adziri Wellington, to the President as their visiting gifts. The delegation also revealed that the 80th anniversary will be held under the theme: 'Our Powerful Past, Prosperous Present and Prominent Future'.

Source: Wilberforce A. Asare