Speaking on the suspension which followed the killing of Captain Maxwell Mahama, the President said the DCE’s comments in the wake of the death were provocative, hence the need for the enquiry.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5kYzov77Inkv9Y5BrOYY7EG2Xc3fBuD6″]“I have had to do something with some considerable reluctance, but which I felt was necessary to do. The District Chief Executive made comments in this matter that appeared to be somewhat provocative. I have taken the decision that he should be suspended pending an inquiry into all circumstances in the matter and the comments that he made.”

President Akufo-Addo directed Local Government and Rural Development Ministry to effect the suspension. The Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, will be heading the investigation.

Capt. Mahama was an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion deployed on an anti-galamsey mission in the district, but the DCE incurred the wrath of the public after suggesting the deceased and his colleagues were in the area to protect illegal Chinese miners.

The DCE’s comments, which were deemed insensitive and insulting by the public, were also seen as a justification for the killing by an angry mob, which claimed it thought Captain Mahama was a robber.

Rule of law must work

President Akufo-Addo, in an audio message, also reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice is served.

“I’ve told the law enforcement agencies that they should spare no stone and make sure that those who are responsible for this brutal act are brought to face the consequences and are brought before trial in our courts and justice done accordingly.”

“We have to have a country where the rule of law works. I have been fighting for that all my life and now that I am in the chair, I have to make sure that there is meaning to it.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post DCE’s suspension necessary – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The decision to suspend him today [Thursday] June 1, 2017, was confirmed to Citi News by the Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gmBAY6FIH5ma27iz6Z6NLyNSIxx8v8hM”]“The President has directed that we do some investigations on the matter and on his [Daniel Apiannin’s] conduct and report. In the interim, he is to hand over his duties to the Deputy Central Regional Minister [Thomas Agyei Baffour]. Therefore, for now, he has been suspended,” the minister stated.

Hajia Mahama noted that the investigation, which will be overseen by the Central Regional Minister, is to cover “the recent events and what has happened in the press – his utterances and all that.”

“We need to have a good view of that, find out what happened and thereafter, we will look at his actions and decide whether he should be relieved of his position. But in the interim, he is on suspension… His utterances have been there. People have questioned the utterances and all that. We are a responsible government. We respond to the queries of people so we are responding and asking him to go on suspension,” she added.

The DCE had made comments suggesting that the deceased and his colleagues were in the area to protect illegal Chinese miners, contrary to the police and the Military High Command’s claims that they were rather in the area on an anti-galamsey mission.

The DCE’s comments, which angered many, was seen as a justification for the dastardly act by the angry youth, who claim to have lynched the officer because they thought he was a robber.

Mr. Apiannin had also said he was not aware of any military presence for any official operation.

Criticism from predecessor

The immediate past DCE for Upper Denkyira West, Ambrose Amoah Eshia, had criticized Mr. Appianin for dereliction of duty, which he said may have led to the lynching of Captain Mahama.

Mr. Amoah Eshia, the new DCE ought to have been aware of the presence of military personnel in his jurisdiction and taken steps to protect them.

Capt. Mahama, was an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion, was said to have been on his daily jogging routine on Monday when he was lynched by some residents of Denkyira-Obuasi, a town near Diaso where the military was based.

So far about seven persons have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The suspects include William Baah, Assemblyman and teacher, 36, farmer; Yaw Antwi, 32, farmer; Bismarck Donkor, 36, farmer; Kofi Badu, 29, farmer; Kofi Nyame, 29, farmer; Anthony Amoah, 23, Okada operator and Philip Badu, 30, a prison assistant.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post DCE suspended over Capt. Mahama’s killing appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.