By Grace Zigah
Eight years after his tragic and widely condemned lynching, the family of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama has commemorated his death with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Osu Cemetery in Accra.
The event served not only as a memorial for a fallen soldier but also as a renewed national call to end mob justice and uphold the rule of law in Ghana.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by members of Major Mahama’s family, clergy, and representatives of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
It marked yet another painful important milestone for a family and a nation still grappling with the brutal circumstances of his death.
A Nation Remembers Its Hero
Delivering the invocation, Reverend Kwame Felix Forfoe reminded mourners and observers that the occasion was not merely to mourn but to celebrate a life of dedicated military service and sacrifice.
“We are here today not just to grieve, but to honor the bravery and patriotism of a young officer who served his country with courage,” he said.
Major Mahama was brutally killed by a mob in Denkyira-Obuase in the Central Region on May 29, 2017, after he was mistaken for an armed robber while on a sanctioned military assignment.
His death sent shockwaves across the nation and triggered a national conversation on mob violence and the need for legal reform.
Father’s Tribute and Plea
At the heart of the ceremony was Captain (Rtd) Denis Mahama Adams, father of the deceased, who spoke with emotion and grace.
He thanked the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ghana for the support extended to the family over the past eight years.
“The support we have received from both the military and the civilian population has helped us bear this painful burden,” he said.
However, he emphasized that while the family continues to find solace in the honor accorded Major Mahama, the fight against mob justice must not wane.
“We cannot allow such an act of lawlessness to happen again,” he said. “Mob justice is a dangerous and unacceptable threat to our society, and we must collectively rise against it.”
Legacy of Justice and Reform
Following Major Mahama’s death, the Ghanaian Parliament passed the Major Mahama Trust Fund Act, 2018 (Act 985), which provides for the welfare of his widow and children.
The trial of the suspects involved in his killing has also remained a focal point in the country’s justice system, serving as a litmus test for Ghana’s ability to hold perpetrators accountable for mob violence.
The fallen soldier’s name has since become synonymous with justice advocacy, especially in campaigns against instant justice, vigilantism, and extra-judicial violence.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates continue to reference his death as a stark reminder of the need for public education, law enforcement, and stronger community-policing relationships.
