General News of Friday, 9 June 2017

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Major Mahama chose the lives of his killers over his – Bawumia

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia reading a tribute to the late soldier play videoVice President Mahamudu Bawumia reading a tribute to the late soldier

Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has eulogized the late Major Mahama for his sacrificial act of choosing to protect the lives of others even in the face of death.

Describing him as a ‘soldier’s soldier’, Dr. Bawumia indicated that the late Major though had a pistol which he could have ‘legitimately’ shot at his pursuers in self-defense, decided to protect their lives, making himself vulnerable in the process.

“This was a soldier who on that fateful day was armed and could legitimately shoot at his attackers but he refrained from doing so, even as they sought to take his life, he sought to protect theirs”, he said.

In his tribute to the late soldier, Dr. Bawumia admonished Ghanaians to learn from this unfortunate incident and to ensure that no such act is ever repeated subsequently.

“May the death of Major Maxwell Mahama serve as the death that heralded the era of impunity in our nation”, he urged.

He commended Ghanaians for the unity they have exhibited in condemning this dastardly act carried out by the mob and assured the family that the late Major Mahama will be immortalized, adding that efforts would be made to compensate the family ‘no matter how inadequate it is’.

“Major Maxwell Mahama’s death has united Ghanaians in a remarkable way, we all stand together in condemnation of the evil and senseless killing of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama…..We stand together in our commitment to stand by his family...We the government and people of Ghana shall immortalize you, we shall celebrate you, we shall do right by your family”, he said.

The remains of the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama were laid to rest Friday morning at the Osu Military Cemetary in Accra following a state burial service at the forecourt of the statehouse where the late soldier was duly honored per the directives of President Akufo-Addo.

Reports suggest that the officer had gone on his early morning physical training in civilian clothing, jogging through the Diaso Township, when he was lynched and partly burnt by some youth of Denkyria-Obuasi who claimed they thought he was an armed robber.

Captain Mahama, was on Monday June 5, posthumously promoted to a Major; this was announced by during his visit to condole with the family. The President also announced plans to erect a monument in his honour. He also promised setting up a GHC 500,000 Trust Fund to cater for the education of the late military officer’s children.