A few years ago, while chasing unproven criminal connections between former President Mahama and the untimely demise of President Mills, an insider from the Mill’s camp unintentionally summed up a core principle of natural justice : “If you kill your boss and take over his position, you should be rigorously investigated and charged if the evidence and law merit it.”
Well, it has been more than twelve years since the demise of President Mills, and it does appear the day of reckoning is in sight for those who had a hand in his death.
The good news here is that the family of the late President have finally made an official request to President Akufo-Addo for an inquiry to examine what actually happened in his final moments in the back of an ambulance.
The Kyidomhemaa, Nana Enimfaa the 3rd, and the Abusuapanyin of the Odumna Clan, Opanyin Kobina Biney, led the call for the autopsy report when they met President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House to officially thank him for constructing the Asomdwe Park to give the late President Mills a befitting final resting place.
Yes, I agree with the family of the former president. The inquest is necessary for the country to arrive at a reasonable conclusion on the actual cause of death.
For me, this latest call by Mill’s family underscores the tricky politics of accountability in a highly polarized era. It has also inspired confidence in me that crime has no expiration date.
For twelve years, allegations of upper-level complicity won’t go away.
There have been dozens of claims as to the cause of death, and the conditions of systemic medical negligence, upper-level complicity and solitary confinement that President Mills was subjected to.
Some have even accused former President Mahama directly of having a hand in president Mills’ death.
This was supported by many unanswered questions.
Indeed, section 2(3) of the Coroners Act, 1960 clearly states that “The person in charge of a hospital in which a person has died an unnatural death shall forthwith give notice of the death to the coroner for the district.
This is the reason why the entire country ought to be happy about this latest development.
As a matter of fact, this inquest is likely to uncover new details about Mahama’s inaction on the day Mills died.
You’ve only got to look at his handling of the whole saga.
Presidential aides at the time allegedly said Mahama was “not interested” in doing more to help the dying President.
Indeed, insiders calls Mahama’s demeanor on the day ‘very unsettling.
So yes, the accusation that Mahama had everything to do with Mill’s death ought to be investigated.
The more Mahama avoid lending his support to Mills’ family on this matter, the more people are beginning to realise that he’s got something to hide.
Let’s all support the call for urgent action for investigations to be carried out by an independent commission to clarify the cause of death of former president John Evans Atta Mills.
Indeed, a further investigative scrutiny and determination will ensure that the country become aware of the outcome of the Coroner’s Inquest, and the circumstances surrounding the death.
It is important for former President Mahama to fully support this call because the inquest will either implicate him or clear his name forver.
And of course, if John Mahama has nothing to hide, he will support this call for an inquisitorial process in a prompt and impartial manner just so we can all allow the soul of President Mills to rest peacefully.
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu
Deputy Director of Communications, NPP
