Sharaf Mahama, one of the sons of President John Dramani Mahama, is being berated on social media after he was captured arriving at the Reffa Awards 2025 in the company of a soldier.

A viral video of Sharaf Mahama’s arrival captured him entering the venue of the event at the Palms Convention Centre, Accra, with a well-armed soldier walking close to him as if he were offering him protection.

The soldier followed the president’s son until he was offered a seat.

Although it is not clear whether the army personnel was a protective detail for Sharaf Mahama, a number of people have called him and the government out in reaction to the video.

Many have pointed to the government's withdrawal of military personnel from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa, and other dignitaries, following a directive from the late former Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, that soldiers are not to provide guard duties to authorised persons.

Some have also cited President Mahama’s suspension of the Director-General of Ghana's National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), Divine Selasi Agbeti, after he used an unauthorised military officer as a personal bodyguard.

President Mahama suspends CSA boss over use of unauthorised military bodyguard

Others have also criticised the Ghana Armed Forces over the incident.

Meanwhile, GhanaWeb sources close to Sharaf Mahama said he did not go to the event with the soldier captured in the video.

The source indicated that the soldier saw the president's son at the entrance of the venue and decided to follow him, adding: "He (Sharaf Mahama) doesn’t walk with soldiers."

Government withdraws military protection for former ministers, others

View some of the reactions to the video below:

👨🏾‍🍳🇬🇭: In July 2025, the late Defense Minister Dr. OMB(RIP) warned of such guard duties for unauthorized individuals; it is not part of the @GhArmedForces duties.

Even the NCSA Chief was suspended by the President for same after he was seen with one at an event. Not a good look. https://t.co/IiizmGkneL pic.twitter.com/d5pYt6skNY

— Ölele | Building OSN (@OleleSalvador) December 14, 2025

The President's son attends an event is being guarded by a soldier with a rifle. Is this okay, @GhArmedForces? If not, check and do the right thing.

— RAPHAEL AKAVANI 🌍 (@Rafurl) December 14, 2025

CEO of @legacyrise_ Sports, Sharaf Mahama just arrived at the Reffa Awards 2025 happening now at the Palms Convention Center Accra.#PrimeRakon pic.twitter.com/onR2XdJeoi

— Prime Rakon (@prime_rakon) December 13, 2025

Sharaf Mahama, the son of President Mahama being protected by a fully armed soldier to a public event.
The hypocritical Ghanaian media and neutrals are quiet because it’s not about Akuffo Addo.
@tv3⁦@tv3_ghana⁩ ⁦@JoyNewsOnTV⁩ ⁦@BBCWorld⁩ pic.twitter.com/thw1RMN3vt

— CRITIC (@The_1CRITIC) December 14, 2025

John mahama's son Sharaf Mahama is the most protected Ghanaian currently.A whole battalion is assigned to him.Meanwhile,there's insecurity everywhere from Bawku to Gonjaland.Ghanaians lives don't matter! pic.twitter.com/8AJ9SNixsZ

— Ghs660m for a jet for John mahama?Eiii 😭😭 (@AgbelimorK59060) December 14, 2025

Can't you see other security services present.

Check the background. Lol 😂

Police service is there
Military service is there
Immigration service is there.

So, you are telling me Sharaff Mahama walks with all the security services in Ghana 😂😂🤪🤪 https://t.co/vE1YFDjXR7 pic.twitter.com/Uju6uQFBlk

— Kiss Me Quikk (@Kiss_Mequikk) December 14, 2025

Can't you see other security services present.

Check the background. Lol 😂😂😂

Police service is there
Military service is there
Immigration service is there.

So, you are telling me Sharaff Mahama walks with all the security services in Ghana 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪 pic.twitter.com/M4ul7TWl8q

— Kiss Me Quikk (@Kiss_Mequikk) December 14, 2025

The soldier seen following Sharaf Mahama was not acting as his personal bodyguard. He had been hired to provide general security for the event and only began accompanying Sharaf after he arrived at the venue.

-Event Organizer clarifies

— Ghana Crimes Ltd. (@GhanaCrimes) December 14, 2025

Can't you see other security services present.

Check the background. Lol 😂

Police service is there
Military service is there
Immigration service is there.

So, you are telling me Sharaff Mahama walks with all the security services in Ghana 😂😂🤪🤪 pic.twitter.com/Ts9AzX7xbm

— Kiss Me Quikk (@Kiss_Mequikk) December 14, 2025