Kumasi High Court delivers long-awaited justice in high-profile killing
The Kumasi High Court has sentenced Police Inspector Ahmed Twumasi, popularly known as “Taacum,” to life imprisonment after a seven-member jury, by a 5–2 majority verdict, found him guilty of murder.
Inspector Twumasi was convicted for the cold-blooded killing of his girlfriend, 26-year-old Victoria Dapaah, affectionately called Maa Adwoa, near her residence at Adum, Kumasi, on April 20, 2023.
The brutal shooting — carried out by a serving police officer — sparked nationwide outrage and reignited public concern over gun violence, police discipline, and abuse of power within Ghana’s security services.
Court Verdict
After almost three years of trial, Justice Rosemond Baah-Tosu delivered the final judgment on Friday, April 24, 2025, bringing closure to one of the most emotionally charged criminal cases in recent memory.
Though the officer initially confessed to the shooting, he later changed his plea to not guilty, forcing the case into a full trial before the jury.
The panel’s 5–2 majority decision sealed his fate, finding him guilty of intentionally killing the young woman.
Family Reacts
Family members of the late Maa Adwoa, who filled the courtroom, wept and embraced each other as the verdict was read.
Her mother, Adwoa Nyarko, expressed relief after years of anguish, calling the ruling “long-overdue justice” for her daughter.
“We thank God, the media, and everyone who stood by us. Justice has finally been served,” she said tearfully outside the courtroom.
Background
Investigations revealed that the fatal confrontation stemmed from a dispute over a GH₵5,000 debt. The police officer allegedly demanded repayment, and when the deceased failed to produce the money, he shot her multiple times at close range.
During his first court appearance, Twumasi admitted to the shooting but claimed he “did not intend to kill her.”
The killing — carried out by a police officer with access to service weapons — ignited national debate over firearm control, police accountability, and the psychological screening of armed officers.
A National Lesson
With the sentencing now complete, human rights advocates are urging the Ghana Police Service to treat the case as a wake-up call for institutional reform and stricter monitoring of officers’ conduct and mental health.
