Sam Jonah Asks Mahama to Restore General Acheampong’s Rank, Says 1979 Killing Was Unfair

A big conversation has started online after respected businessman Sam Jonah called on President Mahama to restore the military rank of the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. According to a post by JoyNews, Sam Jonah believes Ghana must correct the injustice of the 1979 execution of the former Head of State. The call has sparked a lot of reactions from Ghanaians who feel the late general was treated unfairly by the country he once led.

General Acheampong was a military ruler who led Ghana in the 1970s before he was overthrown and later executed by firing squad in 1979. Sam Jonah’s request is asking the government to officially give back the general’s rank, which was stripped from him before his death. The businessman argues that it is time for the country to look back at its history and fix the wrongs of the past, especially regarding how the former leader was killed.

Many Ghanaians commenting on the JoyNews post have thrown their support behind Sam Jonah’s call. One commenter, Godwin Asiateba, said he supports the call 100%, adding that General Acheampong is second only to Kwame Nkrumah among Ghana’s leaders. Another user, George Akoto, said the recognition is very necessary, describing Acheampong as one of the best presidents the country has ever had, especially when it comes to economic stability.

Not everyone, however, is focused on the history lesson. Some commenters are asking what restoring a dead man’s rank will do for the living. A user named Kafui Dedume said that while history supports Acheampong’s good work, the country should focus on “bread and butter” issues that affect ordinary people today. This shows that while some Ghanaians care about honoring the past, others are more concerned about the current cost of living and daily hardships.

The call by Sam Jonah has opened up an old chapter in Ghana’s political history, reminding citizens of the turbulent days of military rule and executions. It remains to be seen if President Mahama will respond positively to the request and take steps to restore the general’s rank. For now, the debate continues online, with many waiting to see if the government will do what Sam Jonah calls “the right thing” for the family of the late general.