Major Mahama’s death; 1 year on

The soldier, who was leading a military detachment at Denkyira-Obuase (now New Obuase) in the Central Region, was lynched by angry mob, who according to police reports, mistook him for an armed robber.

He was the captain of the 31-member military team sent to the town to guard the properties of C&G Mining Company against illegal mining activities in the area. It is turning out that C&G was not having a permit to mine but was being protected by soldiers, leading to the death of then Captain Mahama.

Early Life

Maxwell Adam Mahama was born on November 1, 1985 at Bole in the Northern Region to Dennis Adam and Veronica Bamford.

He is the oldest of three siblings. Because of his father’s job, the late Mahama had attended different basic schools, including Services Primary School in Takoradi, Western Region, and Rev. John Teye Memorial School in Accra.

He had a greater part of his basic school education at the Akosombo International School, where he continued through to junior secondary school.

As a child, he had a passion for dancing and acting and this earned him a lead role in popular television show ‘Kokroko,’ which was hosted by Otiko Djaba – now Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

After his Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), he gained admission to St. John’s Senior High School.

He then gained admission to pursue further studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Ghana Military Academy, but he opted for the military academy.

Military Life

He was commissioned into the Ghana Army on September 7, 2007 as a Second Lieutenant and was posted to the 5 Battalion as a Platoon Commander.

He rose through the ranks to become Captain and served in various capacities – both at home and abroad.

After his demise, President Nana Akufo-Addo promoted him posthumously to the rank of Major.

How He Died

Major Maxwell Mahama was on a 20-kilometre walk when he was reportedly mistaken for an armed robber by some women from whom he had stopped to buy some snails.

The women, who thought he was an armed robber after spotting his official pistol, reportedly called the assemblyman for the area to raise an alarm.

The assemblyman allegedly organised people in the town to lynch the soldier and later burned parts of his body.

Trial

Fourteen suspects are currently before an Accra high court for allegedly murdering Major Mahama.

The accused are facing three counts of abetment to murder, conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder, and murder, contrary to Section 46 of Act 29 (1960).

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.