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The late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was attacked by a mob
The late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was attacked by a mob

How do we tackle instant justice?

We ask our readers how to deal with intant justice, in the wake of the death of the 90-year-old woman, Madam Akua Dente who was lynched for being accused as a witch.

Capt. Denis Mahama (Retd.)
Father of the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama

Instant justice by a mob has been claiming innocent lives since time immemorial.

Victims are usually accused of various crimes ranging from armed robbery, rape, witchcraft or juju.

Instant justice on suspected criminals is so unacceptable that every effort has to be made to curb it.

Thus, it’s high time specific non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Major Maxwell Mahama Memorial Foundation are established solely for the purpose of campaigning against mob justice.

The Ministry of Interior must collaborate with the NGOs and support them through any means possible.

Every individual and corporate institution must join with their resources and time and help end this practice.

Imagine the extent to which the case of Major Mahama shook Ghanaians, and yet it hasn’t turned people away from engaging in such acts.

Mrs Sheila Dewodo Fening
Professional Counsellor

It’s unfortunate that in our part of the world, only the poor old women and men are tagged witches and wizards, and not the rich and affluent in society.

One thing we need to know is that witchcraft is a spirit, so killing people does not kill the evil spirit.

Instant or mob action is a bad practice which should be condemned in no uncertain terms.

In any event, what is the difference between the supposed witches and those who attack and kill them; are they not all killers?

I also think the witch doctors and all the perpetrators seen in the 90-year-old woman, Madam Akua Dente’s leaked videos should be apprehended immediately and made to face the law.

All witches camps should be closed down immediately and all those kept there should be rescued and reunited with their families or sent to rehabilitation centres to be assisted by licensed counselling psychologists.

For the last time, let’s kill the evil spirit possessing people, not the people.

God help us.

Nicholas Agyare
Teacher

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable and that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

The administration of justice appears not to meet the popular expectation in most cases.
Consequently, most citizens resort to mob violence as a way to justice — a gross act of injustice.

To curb mob action, we need to look at our criminal justice system.

Justice should be dispensed expeditiously instead of allowing cases to drag for so long which enables criminals to get off the hook.

We should also look at engaging the hands and minds of our youths productively and meaningfully.

The government must work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to educate people to end the myths surrounding witchcraft and the need to end discrimination and stigmatisation as well as desist from mob actions.

The government must also make it illegal to accuse people of witchcraft and ensure the safe reintegration of those in these camps back into society.

At this point, I think we must not rush in calling for disbandment of these camps but develop a detailed roadmap in consultation with all stakeholders including the alleged witches, religious and traditional leaders, priests and the communities of origin of the alleged witches.

Hilda Ohemeng
National Service Person

Instant justice or mob action can be solved through education.

The government should liaise with opinion leaders such as chiefs and religious leaders in our communities to help educate people on the need to put an end to such acts.

I also think there is the need to demolish and discourage the establishment of the so-called witches camps put up in different parts of the country.

The law must deal with those who engage in these practices.

Janet Naa Asheley Armaah-Bekoe
Facilitator
We should do our best to demolish all witches camps in the country and put in measures to discourage communities from putting up these sites.

Those who indulge in mob action simply because someone has been accused of being a witch should be brought to book.

It’s really sad when we hear of these cruel and inhuman practices.

Mary Kamsi Mottey
Student, Wisconsin International University College

I believe to tackle mob attack and issues pertaining to witches camps, the public must be made aware of the pain victims’ families go through.

Our security services should be more equipped to be able to handle these issues and prevent them from occurring.

If society feels these camps should still exist, they should be regulated.

Prince Ossei Owusu

Deputy Majority Leader for the Youth Leadership Parliament

I think the time has come to do away with these camps and save our old men and women from needless attacks.

Adequate sensitisation must go down in these towns where such practices exist and stiffer punishment meted out to perpetrators of these inhumane acts since one’s ’witchcraft’ cannot be proved in a court of law.

David Osei Bonsu
Member of Ghana’s Youth Presidential Cabinet

In case those witches camps are licensed, I will plead with the authorities to revoke their permits immediately, and find ways of dealing with the situation.

But if they are operating on the permission of any recognised government agency, then they should be demolished.

All those involved in the recent killing of the 90-year-old woman, Madam Akua Dente, should be made to face the law.

 

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