General News of Saturday, 18 August 2012

Source: peacefmonline

Gov’t Should Issue A Statement On How Mills Died – Kweku Baako

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Malik Kwaku Baako, is clearly unenthused about the attempt by some people to create an aura of mysticism around the death of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.

To him, it is needless and infantile and could bring his memory into disrepute.

From a scanned signature of the former President in the tribute books that was distributed at the burial service, through Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur’s interpretation of the dove that came to rest on the bonnet of former First Lady, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills’ car when the pre-interment service was moving from the Independence Square to the burial grounds at the Castle, to reports that some people saw an angel in the clouds taking hold of the former president’s hand, a deep-seated impression of spirituality has been created around the late Prof’s death, especially by some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking as a panelist on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” Morning Show, Mr Kweku Baako said he still cannot come to terms what some people are seeking to achieve by such actions.

“A certain aura of mysticism is being attached to the demise and burial of President Mills and it is not right. What is the essence, what are they trying to tell the world?...It was absolutely unnecessary and needless. It is not proper…There was nothing mysterious about it. That thing should be stopped. What is the basis of this attempt to promote some sort of mysticism around the death of our president? I don’t think we are helping the memory of the old man. I rather think it is sowing seeds to bring his memory into disrepute…” he said.

The seasoned editor also urged the NDC government to quickly take steps to address the swirling speculations about events leading to the death of President Mills. To him, much as he agrees with the sentiments expressed by some section of the public that the country needs to let sleeping dogs lie, it will also be in the best interest of government to cure the mischief that has been and continuous to be created about President Mills’ death.

He, however, objected to the unending demand for a coroner’s inquest into the last hours of the president stay on earth saying an official enquiry is enough.

“I feel that government should issue a statement concerning the rumours and the varied accounts of what led to the death of Prof. Mills…If the statement comes out and we find out that it is not convincing or that there are loopholes, then we can ask for an enquiry. But not a coroner’s inquest; we’ve passed that stage…I’m not sure that it is in the interest of government or the nation to make those speculations continue. Silence is not the appropriate response…” Kweku Baako said.