I’m still very sad and angry as I lift my finger to type this week’s epistle to you. The acid-pouring episode on one of my brothers-in-Islam and his subsequent demise have left me shaken to the bone.
The death of Adams Mahama is what I refer to. I would, however, try to control my anger because I know very well that the mouth tends to lose control when one is angry.
Much as we are all saddened by the circumstances under which he left us, we should be consoled by the fact that he lived a very fruitful life. The numerous testimonies and encomiums being heaped on his soul are enough to lighten our heavy hearts. Only the Bearded Old Man above knows the number of people whose lives would be in disarray as a result of his untimely demise. What a sad end!
As Muslims, we are not oblivious of the fact that each and every soul shall taste death but once; and Brother Adams has had a taste of the bitter nature of death. While we await our turn, we should be reminded of the need to remember the souls of the departed in prayer because that is all they require of the living. May his soul have peace with its Maker!
I take this opportunity to add my voice to the numerous calls on the mourners and his party colleagues not to politicise the murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the Great Elephant. The dastardly act was nothing but unadulterated murder, which is a heinous crime on our statute books. Chairman Adams’ death should therefore be treated as such.
I also take this opportunity to add my voice to the numerous appeals on all to exercise restraint as the police investigate the matter. It’s my hope that no obstacle is placed in the way of the police as they try to unravel the mystery surrounding his death.
But I have my fears! My fear is that this case may not see a conclusive end. I say so because there are many such unresolved criminal cases; and I fear Chairman Adams’ gruesome murder may suffer the same fate.
Have you ever wondered why the Dagbon conflict has become like an infested sore refusing to heal? It is because lack of justice has made it difficult for the feelings of the aggrieved parties in the conflict to be assuaged.
Somewhere in April 2013, there were reports of new clashes in Dagbon. An Abudu man was reported to have lost his house and two vehicles to fire started by arsonists. It’s more than two years since the horrendous attack took place and the perpetrators of the heinous crime are walking free because they are wearing party shirts.
You do remember the BNI official who aimed and shot at a group of Osono supporters during the Chereponi by-election, don’t you? He is still walking free because he is wearing an Umbrella-embossed shirt. An enquiry from the police about the status of the case would elicit the shameless response, “We are still investigating.”
We were all in this country when the chilling news about a guerrilla training centre in Bawku broke out in September 2009. The pictures were splashed on the front pages of some newspapers and we all saw everything with our naked eyes. A weapon training instructor was captured on camera giving instructions to G3 and AK 47 wielding recruits. One of the recruits was identified as the son of one of the then executives of the ruling Zu-za in the Bawku Constituency. Till this day, not even a fly has been arrested.
Baba Jamal, the Chief Jihadist, is now a Member of Parliament (MP) and a deputy minister. After leading the Akwatia jihadists to unleash mayhem on his political opponents during a by-election in 2009, he is now comfortably sitting in the country’s august House shouting ‘yeah, yeah’. His jihadists are also walking free. Why won’t others be emboldened to pour acid on innocent and harmless citizens?
Abusuapanin, do you now see that my fears are justified? My hope and prayer is that the police prove me wrong this time. Nothing would please me and my compatriots more than to see the culprits of the gruesome murder of Chairman Adams brought to book. But I wonder if our prejudiced police can allay my fears!
As for members of the Great Elephant, I encourage all of them to read the last Press Statement from the late Adams. UNITY of purpose was his clarion call. If I were a leader in the Great Elephant fraternity, I would liken the press statement to the last wish of a dying man. And such a wish is very sacred, isn’t it?
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