Ghanaian soldier lynched in the country; what we know so far

Adam Mahama was the victim of mob justice by a group of residents in a town in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region of Ghana.

He was lynched by residents on suspicion of being an armed robber while jogging in the early hours of the day.

The Ghana Armed Forces has since confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.

Scores of armed military personnel were also deployed to Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region to search for the residents who lynched the Captain.

Many have since condemned the barbaric act, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to book.

The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, took to his official Twitter account shortly after the news broke to express his sympathies and assured the family of justice for his murder.

In a series of tweets, Nana Akufo-Addo said: “My condolences to the family of Captain Maxwell Mahama on their tragic loss. I assure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country. No one involved in his murder will go for free.”

Ghana’s former presidents also expressed their condolences.

The immediate past president, John Mahama in a series of tweets said "My heart goes out to my brother, Capt. Chubby Adam Mahama (Rtd.) on the murder of his son, Capt. Maxwell Mahama. And my condolences to the wife of Capt. Maxwell Mahama, his young children & to his mother on the loss of her only son."

On his part, former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings called for calm and restraint as the security agencies investigate the unfortunate incident.

In a statement, he said that “Taking the law into our hands in the manner the perpetrators of the act did was an act of cruelty. However, I implore the affected institution to remain calm as the security agencies investigate the matter.

“I call on the security agencies and the law courts to inspire confidence in the populace by acting swiftly and effectively when crimes are committed in our communities. The recent acts of violence in Somanya and Kumasi cannot be taken in isolation. They go to expose a weakness in the general response to crime.”

Five people arrested

The Central Regional Police Command has so far arrested five persons suspected to have taken part in the tragic killing of the Captain.

The Central Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Oppong, said the suspects are being sent to the Police Regional Headquarters in Cape Coast for further interrogation.

Was Captain Mahama a “galamsey soldier”?

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West District, Daniel Appianing alleged shortly after the heinous crime that the military captain was the head of a military detachment in the area which is protecting a group of Chinese nationals illegally mining gold in the Upper Wassa Forest.

But the Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul denied the claims by the DCE.

According to him, the deceased is part of Operation Halt 2, an anti-galamsey activity which is being undertaken by the military.

He further charged the DCE to present the said BNI reports which he claims to have to the District Security Committee (DISEC) for forwarding to Accra.

In the meantime, investigations are continuing as the police look to build a case to unravel the murder of the Captain.

The life of Captain Mahama

Adam Mahama was from a family of servicemen. According to his uncle, the inventor Fred McBagonluri, he was the great grandson of H.W.M Bamford, who served as the Inspector General of Police (1924-1938) for 14 years during British colonial rule in Gold Coast.

His father also served in the Ghana Armed Forces.

Coming from a family of servicemen, he entered into the army at a very early age, rising rapidly to the rank of captain. In an interview, McBagonluri said Adam was in his early thirties, proof of his gallantry in the army. There has even been talks that he was been considered for promotion in the army shortly.

Adam was also considering a life in public service to Ghana.

According to his Facebook profile, he studied abroad at the University of Leicester where gained a Master’s degree in Security and Risk Management. He also attended the University of Ghana where he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. Before that, he had attended the St John’s School in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region for his secondary education. He also attended Akosombo International School.

He was the only son of his mother and leaves behind father, Barbara, his wife and two young children. Maxwell and Barbara got married in August 2012.

He was also a lover of the game of tennis.

** Galamsay is a term used in Ghana for illegal mining activities.