Treat death of our late son with respect and dignity - Sisala Community

The family of the late Maxwell Adams Mahama in the Sisala community in the Upper West Region, has appealed to Ghanaians especially the media to treat the death of the young soldier with respect and dignity, to soothe the pain of the family and numerous Ghanaians.

The Jaana-Yigantu family of the late Captain Mahama in a statement issued in Tamale on Friday said, “The entire Sissala Community of the Upper West Region has expressed sadness over the gruesome murder of our brother and son”.

Mr Douri Bennin Haji, a spokesperson of the family from the Sisala community who signed the statement, said the continuous sharing of pictures and showing of videos on the manner he was lynched was a disrespect to the sensibilities of family members.

Mr Haji said the family found it hard to believe that a group of Ghanaians could debase a fellow Ghanaian and subject him to dehumanizing barbarity, taking his life without provocation.

“The family takes solace in the outpouring of outrage by well-meaning Ghanaians, and are hurt that some Ghanaians are sharing images of the Captain, in his lowest moments,” the statement said.

“In Sisala tradition and we believe many other groups, the dead is treated with utmost respect”, it said.

The statement described Captain Mahama as a patriot who swore to defend his country even at the peril of his life, which he demonstrated by dying without killing a single soul even though he had a pistol on him.

“The Jaana-Yigantu family expects responsible journalism from media houses and the respect of the sensibilities of family members by not disseminating images and videos of the dastardly act,” the statement added.

The family said it expected that the authorities will find all the people involved and bring them to book to deter others from engaging in mob justice.