Major Mahama widow thanks Prez. Akufo-Addo

• Posted on June 6, 2018
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

President Akufo-Addo has added his voice to the calls for a review of the country’s Criminal Code.

The President was particularly interested in those that border on murder.

He made this known when the family of the late Major Maxwell Mahama, who was killed during an operation in one of the ‘galamsey’ communities, Denkyira Obuase in the Central Region a year ago, paid a courtesy call on him at the presidency.

Criminal Code (or penal code) is a document, which compiles all, or a significant amount of a particular jurisdiction’s criminal law, typically containing offences, which are recognised in the jurisdiction, penalties, which might be imposed for these offences and some general provisions such as definitions and prohibitions on retroactive prosecution.

They were there to thank the President and government for honouring the memory of the late Major Mahama.

The family raised concerns about the fact that only 14 out of the 40 persons arrested in connection with the late Major Mahama’s death were standing trial, blaming it on the old provisions in the country’s Criminal Code.

Conviction

President Akufo-Addo said, “It will make sense for the review of the criminal law to take into account these developments in the evolution of our country and society; so, I back 100 percent the call you have made for the review of the criminal law, and those who are responsible for that exercise will hear, from today, not only your call, but my support for your call, and hopefully it will begin the process of a national dialogue which will result in the intervention of Parliament and make the necessary adjustments to our criminal code.”

That, he said, was because 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 said the ‘thanks’ should go to the good people of Ghana for their benevolence. 

Appreciation

On his part, leader of the family delegation, Ahmed Zakaria Sakara, thanked President Akufo-Addo and his government for the several interventions put in place to lessen the plight of the family at the time of their loss.

The family was of the opinion that the trial of only 14 persons was not good enough.

They said all persons who were initially apprehended by the police for their involvement must answer for their respective roles in the murder of their son before a court of competent jurisdiction.

They, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecution processes currently ongoing in court.

The family, through its spokesperson, also expressed appreciation to the President for the establishment of the Major Mahama Trust Fund and commencement of the construction of the national monument in honour of his memory.

PRESEC Old Boys

Also at the presidency yesterday was an 18-member delegation from the old boys association of the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon.

They were there to officially invite the President as the special guest of honour for the celebration of the school’s 80th anniversary.

Leading the delegation was Speaker of the country’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye.

The school has decided to honour the President by making him an honorary old boy. The President gladly accepted the invitation.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent