A wave of sorrow and outrage has swept through Manso Datano in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region following the tragic death of a 45-year-old man, Mr. Akwasi Badu, popularly known as Emuede-wu, who allegedly died after being brutalized while in police custody.
Mr. Badu, a respected landlord in the Manso Watreso community, was arrested on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by officers from the Manso Datano Police Station. His arrest reportedly followed a misunderstanding with a tenant. According to the family, Mr. Badu was held in police custody for three days, during which he was allegedly subjected to severe beatings. He was pronounced dead on the morning of Thursday, June 20, 2025.
Speaking to the media in a heart-wrenching interview, his grieving relatives recounted how he was in perfect health when taken away by the police. “Our brother left home strong and healthy. We received information that he was being beaten inside the cells. We thought it was a misunderstanding that would be resolved, but now he is dead,” his sister painfully recalled.
The family has expressed deep anger and frustration over what they describe as blatant police brutality and are calling for swift justice. They have appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and former President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “This is not just about our brother. It is about every Ghanaian who could suffer the same fate. We want justice. The police cannot be allowed to take lives and go unpunished,” a relative stated during an emotional family gathering at their Manso Watreso residence.
The incident has triggered rising tensions in Manso Watreso and nearby communities. Shocked residents and sympathizers are demanding transparency and accountability from the Ghana Police Service. Civil society groups and human rights organizations are also being urged to step in and ensure justice is served.
As of now, the Manso Datano Police Command has not issued any official statement regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Badu’s death. His body has since been transferred to the St. Martin’s Hospital morgue at Agroyesum for autopsy.
Meanwhile, the family has vowed to pursue the matter until justice is achieved—not just for their loved one, but for the dignity and safety of all Ghanaians. “We will not sleep until the truth is revealed and the perpetrators face the law,” they declared.
Adding his voice, the Assembly Member for Manso Watreso Electoral Area, Hon. Kofi Mensah, urged calm and indicated that the situation in the community has currently stabilized. However, he emphasized the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
The community now awaits answers, as calls intensify for an independent probe into an incident that has not only taken a life but also severely shaken public trust in the police.
