Family, foundation mark Maj. Mahama’s 9th anniversary

The father of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, a soldier who was lynched in a mob attack, has called for a renewal of the public’s attitude to mob justice at the ninth anniversary commemoration of his son’s death. 

Captain Dennis Adam Mahama (retd), who is also the Gbampeywura of the Bole Traditional Area, cautioned Ghanaians against mob justice, stressing that “violence is not evidence” and “suspicion is not guilt”.

At the event organised by the Major Maxwell Adam Mahama Foundation, in collaboration with the family and the Ghana Armed Forces, Capt. Adam Mahama said the monument erected in his son’s memory was not a mere stone and structure, but a national reminder that “never again should any innocent person lose his or her life to mob action, suspicion or hearsay”.

At last Friday’s ceremony, wreaths were laid at the Osu Military Cemetery and at the Major Mahama Roundabout in Accra, named after the late officer.

Maj. Mahama was lynched on May 29, 2017, at Denkyira Obuasi while on official duty.

His death drew nationwide outrage and sparked calls to end instant justice.

The anniversary drew a military delegation led by the Commanding Officer of the Fifth Battalion of Infantry, family members, and the Major Maxwell Mahama Memorial Foundation.

Memory

Capt. Mahama said the family continued to carry the pain of his passing, stressing that he still shed tears whenever he came across his son’s belongings.

“Time may soften grief, but it does not erase memory; and memory, if properly guided, can move us from remembrance to action,” he said.

He recalled that Maxwell was his firstborn, delivered after four days of labour on November 1, 1985, at the Bole Health Centre.

“I gave him the name Adam, and his mother added Maxwell.

Together, the name became part of the identity of a son who would grow to bring honour to family, profession, and nation,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to Ghanaians, the media and friends who stood by the family during their grief, the retired military Captain said remembrance alone was not enough.

“Sadly, years later, we continue to hear of incidents where innocent lives are lost through mob attacks and instant judgment.

This reminds us that silence is not enough. Good intentions are not enough. We must move from memory to action.

We must walk the talk,” Capt. Adam Mahama said.

“Mob justice is not justice. Violence is not evidence. Suspicion is not guilt.

Every citizen deserves due process under the law,” he added.

Capt. Mahama said the Major Maxwell Mahama Memorial Foundation existed not merely to remember his son, but to help shape a Ghana where disputes were handled lawfully, citizens trusted institutions, and human life was protected.

Appeal

He appealed to the public to support the foundation and become ambassadors against mob action.

“Carry this message into homes, schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, barracks and communities: Stop mob justice. Choose law. Protect life,” he stated.

Looking ahead to the 10th anniversary next year, he said the family envisioned a renewed national movement to deepen education, widen partnerships and engage the youth.