Ghana gives state burial to top soldier who was lynched

The national mood in Ghana is solemn as the country buries an army captain who was mistaken for an armed robber, lynched and his body burnt while went jogging barely two weeks ago.

The government posthumously promoted then Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama to the rank of major and are giving him a state burial in the capital Accra, today.

The 32-year-old major who was on duty in Denkyira Obuasi located in the country’s Central region was attacked by a mob over allegations that he was an armed robber. He was detailed by the army to the area to protect a local mine.

Local media portals reported that the fact that he had a firearm on him whiles he went jogging was the reason for the suspicion and subsequent attack. There was widespread outrage across the country when news of his death broke.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday (June 5) announced that the slain soldier was to be given a full state burial. He also directed that a befitting monument be put up in his honour.

‘‘The President also directed the setting up of a Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama Memorial Trust Fund, with a seed money of GH¢500,000 purposely to cater for his wife and children. The President has personally donated GH¢50,000 to the Fund,’‘ a statement from the presidency read.

Meanwhile over thirty people are currently being held by the police for complicity in the murder of Major Mahama. President Akufo-Addo in a series of tweets gave assurances that the death will not go unpunished.

I assure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country. (2/3)

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 30, 2017

Reigniting the “NO to instant justice campaign”

The death has sparked outrage in the country with various civil society groups condemning the killing and calling for perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The incident has rekindled the issue of security and the need to follow the law in dealing with suspects.

Ghanaians on social media continue talks about instant/mob justice and its demerits. Members of Parliament have also joined calls for speedy investigations into the incident.