General News of Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Source: yen.com.gh

Otiko Djaba weeps at Major Mahama's 'one week' observation

Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection

Report indicates that the minister for gender, Otiko Djaba, on Monday, broke down and wept at the "one week observation" of the Major Maxwell Mahama, the Ghana army officer whose life was taken by a mob at Denkyira Obuasi last week.

Djaba, who accompanied President Nana Akufo-Addo to the event, was overwhelmed by emotions and broke down into tears. YEN.com.gh understands that Djaba knew Major Mahama as a pupil at the Akosombo International School.

We have also learnt that in the 90s when she used to host children on a GTV show, the major used to perform acrobatics to entertain the kids.

Djaba's tears typified the mood of many in the nation, one week after the passing of Captain Mahama.

The one week event was a sombre affair that was characterised by deep pain and sorrow.

President Akufo-Addo cast a sorrowful figure at the event, where he announced plans by the government to secure the future of the late soldier's children and also give him a befitting burial.

Even Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo, who is hardly known to exhibit any emotion, found himself weighed down by pain.

Major Mahama was a victim of mob violence at Denkyira Obuasi last Monday. Police say people in the community assumed he was a thief and lynched him.

The police have arrested over 40 people for allegedly playing a role in his death. An assembly man, who reportedly directed the lynching, is also in police grips.

Plans are underway to lay the soldier to rest at the Osu cemetery in Accra on Friday.