Killing of Capt. Mahama an act of cruelty – Rawlings

Former President Jerry John Rawlings is urging calm and restraint following the “unfortunate lynching” of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Tributes and appeal for calm started pouring in Tuesday when news about the murder of the captain on national duties went viral.

He was killed by residents of Denkyira-Obuasi who mistook him for an armed robber on Monday morning while jogging in the town with his pistol. Describing his death as a “loss to the whole country”, the former President who left the military as a Flight Lieutenant urged all to remain calm.

“Taking the law into our hands in the manner the perpetrators of the act did was an act of cruelty.

However, I implore the affected institution to remain calm as the security agencies investigate the matter,” Flt Lt Rawlings said in a statement on Tuesday. The former president expressed his “sincere condolences” to the wife, family and the unit of the late Captain Maxwell Mahama for their unfortunate loss.

Mr. Rawlings added his voice to calls by many concerned Ghanaians over the lack of speedy investigation and prosecution of persons who perpetrate serious crimes such as armed robbery and murder.

“When the law does not seem to be giving people justice, such acts of cruelty resulting in the unfortunate loss of innocent life, is the end result. I call on the security agencies and the law courts to inspire confidence in the populace by acting swiftly and effectively when crimes are committed in our communities.

“The recent acts of violence in Somanya and Kumasi cannot be taken in isolation. They go to expose a weakness in the general response to crime,” former President Rawlings said.

Former president John Mahama and President Nana Akufo-Addo have all condemned the murder of the soldier who was with the 5th Infantry of the Ghana Armed Forces and the detachment commander of troops on operational duties in the area he was killed