The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “wild”, “unsubstantiated” and “insensitive” comments made by Asempa FM presenter, Kojo Asare Baffour Acheampong popularly known as KABA on the death of Major Maxwell Mahama.
According to the GAF, it was worried that such misleading information had been peddled in the media and it is ready to provide clarity on circumstances surrounding the former officer’s death.
The late Major Maxwell Mahama was lynched and partly burnt by some residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region on 29th May, 2017, on suspicion of being an armed robber.
Some reports suggested that the late military man was attacked and killed by the residents because he was in the town to stop illegal mining; an activity most of the residents were engaged in, but that was later discredited.
The host of Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii sen’ radio show, KABA, however said on his show after the incident that the late army officer was going to meet some illegal miners in the area when he was ambushed by the town folks and killed.
According to him, some soldiers had earlier attempted to meet with the illegal miners and were nearly killed, but Major Mahama who was unaware of the earlier incident also proceeded to agree on a meeting with them without adequate protection.
But the Military high command has said KABA’s claims are false.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Aggrey Quarshie, said investigations were still ongoing hence the need to refrain from making such baseless statements.
In the aftermath of the unfortunate death of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, a number of unsubstantiated assertions have been made by Kwodwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) on Asempa FM on Monday 5 June 2017.
We wish to state categorically that the claims by KABA that the late Major Mahama was initially deployed at Denkyira-Boase from January to March 2017 are totally FALSE. The first time Maj Mahama was deployed to the location was 9 May 2017. The assertion that the late officer was due to write exams and was relieved by a Lieutenant is also FALSE. Major Mahama passed his promotion examination in June 2015 (2 years ago). On the contrary, it is the Lieutenant who is writing his promotion examination in June 2017 (this year) for which reason Major Mahama was deployed on relieving duties.
Regarding the circumstances of his death, it is also important to place on record that investigations are still on-going and therefore it would be both prejudicial and insensitive to make wild, unsubstantiated comments at this stage. The issue of the 4 Warrant Officers who are facing disciplinary investigation is also unconnected with the current case and we advise that no attempt should be made to draw any linkages.
GAF wishes to advise media personnel to be mindful of their sources of information especially during this period in order not to misinform the public. They should pay due regard to the sensitivity of the deceased family in these trying moments.
GAF therefore wishes to reiterate that the allegations made by KABA on his programme which has been recorded and being circulated online, social media networks and some mainstream electronic and print media outlets, are misleading.
GAF once again reiterates its readiness to clarify matters and give GAF’s side of issues to media personnel to avert the publication and broadcast of misleading information which has long term security implications.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
