By Oluwadara Adebisi,Samuel Obour

Copyright yen

President Mahama attended Asantehemaa’s funeral, but many Ghanaians expressed concern over his security arrangementsSecurity for President Mahama was provided by cadet officers, leading to public outcry for better protectionGhanaians criticised the absence of trained military personnel and called for stricter security for the president

President John Dramani on Thursday, September 18, 2025, touched down in Kumasi to attend the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, and Ghanaians are concerned about his safety.

Hours after landing in Kumasi, the president arrived at the Manhyia Palace amid cheers and applause. However, many questioned the adequacy of his security detail.

The president’s security at public events has raised a series of concerns among citizens following the GAF helicopter incident that claimed the lives of several dignitaries, including ministers of state.

At the time, it was reported that the Head of State was to board the ill-fated helicopter before his itinerary changed at the last minute.

Recently, David Kwodow Prah Afful, a TikToker, was apprehended and sentenced following violent threats to the president and other government officials.

Fast forward to the Manhyia situation, the president’s security is once again the subject of public scrutiny. This time, the concerns were even more pronounced due to the sheer volume of attendees at the Queen Mother’s final funeral rites.

Ghanaians call for stricter security for Mahama

Many Ghanaians who followed President Mahama’s arrival at Manhyia Palace expressed their displeasure that Ghanaian cadet officers appeared to be in charge of his safety at the event.

However, this is yet to be officially confirmed. Most people came to this conclusion based on what they saw in the videos.

Many wondered why the President’s Own Guard Regiment, or the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) officers, were not seen protecting and guiding the president in the video.

Cadet officers are young persons, in most cases, students who form the core base of the Cadet Corps, a structured paramilitary youth organisation that equips them with military-like training.

Watch the video that made many Ghanaians worried below:

Ghanaians react: President Mahama at funeral rites

YEN.com.gh collected reactions about the president’s arrival at the Manhyia Palace. Some of the comments are below.

@McS0UL said:

“SHS boys wei dem protect precident or what am I seeing here.”

@Is_me02 expressed concern:

“Chale, we need to take the security of the president very seriously because I no dey barb why cadet officers go protect him. Where are the trained military officers in this country?”

@joekinnah1 commented:

“Our president is a joker. What are these schoolboys?”

@NipaWoPlans wrote:

“Na cadet foÉ” no nso asem bÉ›n. 😂😂”

@RedHatPentester commented:

“You think Secret Service will allow this? The president’s protection detail needs training.”

@theabibiduroh wrote:

“Kwashey boys too Dey inside. One mistake p3.”

President Mahama opts to hold his umbrella

YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that President John Dramani Mahama demonstrated humility by holding his own umbrella at an event, deviating from the norm necessitating a member of the security detail to do this.

The Head of State had attended an event hosted by Papao Farms geared at exploring ways to boost agriculture in Ghana.

Some social media users applauded President John Dramani Mahama for being an exceptional leader.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh