Inspector Ahmed Twumasi, a police officer accused of murdering his alleged girlfriend, Victoria Dapaah, also known as Maa Adwoa, in Kumasi, on April 20, 2023, has denied, during a cross-examination on Monday, March 10, 2025, that he was in an amorous relationship with the deceased.

The testimony came in the ongoing trial at the Kumasi High Court, where Twumasi is charged with shooting Victoria multiple times with his service pistol at Adum, leading to her death from hemorrhagic shock.

According to a report by ghpage.com, sighted by GhanaWeb, while under questioning by the prosecution, Twumasi insisted that his connection with the deceased was platonic.

“She was my friend, nothing else,” he said when asked to describe their relationship.

In a transcript of the court proceedings shared by GhPage, the prosecutor pressed further, stating, “I am putting it to you that you were in an amorous relationship with Victoria Dapaah also known as Maa Adwoa,” to which Twumasi responded, “It is not true.”

He also rejected claims that this alleged affair caused marital issues with his wife, Yaa Afriyie, saying, “It is not true,” when told his wife left home on April 19, 2023, as a result.

Twumasi, a 39-year-old SWAT bodyguard stationed at Manhyia Palace since 2017, confirmed he was assigned a Norico pistol with two magazines of 9mm ammunition, though he was unsure of its registration number.

The prosecution alleges this weapon was used in the killing, which Twumasi denies involvement in, stating, “I know nothing about her death.”

The officer also contested the circumstances of his arrest, claiming he voluntarily approached a plainclothed officer on April 23, 2023, after learning of Victoria’s death, rather than being apprehended in a bush as the prosecution asserted.

“I was not arrested,” he said, adding, “What I have said is the truth.”

Twumasi was arrested three days after the shooting incident and is currently going through a seven-member jury trial at a Kumasi High Court presided by Justice Rosemary Baah Tosu.

Victoria, a 26-year-old mother of one, was killed near her home, reportedly over a dispute.

The case has seen multiple delays, with Twumasi disputing two statements attributed to him as evidence during the court proceedings on Monday.

Read the transcript published by GhPage on Monday, March 10, 2025 below:

Lawyer: Which language would you like to use?

Twumasi: Twi

Lawyer: What is your name?

Twumasi: Twumasi Ahmed

Lawyer: Where do you live?

Twumasi: Tafo

Lawyer: Do you want us to use what you have said as evidence?

Twumasi: Yes my lord

Reads Witness statement.

Lawyer: You stated that I never visited the deaceased person on that day.

Twumasi: I know nothing about her death.

Lawyer: Where were you born?

Twumasi: Nsuta

Lawyer: Is it the same place you come from?

Twumasi: I am not from there. My mother is from kwahu And my father is an Asabte

Lawyer: How old were you on 20th April 2023?

Twumasi: 39 years

Lawyer: For how long have you been a police officer before 20th April 2023?

Twumasi: 16 years

Lawyer: Would you bear me out that you became a police officer in 2008?

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: Which unit of the service were you as at 20th April 2023?

Lawyer: Bodyguard at SWAT

Do you agree? That the unit you were meant special weapons of artist unit

Yes

Lawyer: As at 20th April 2023, you were in guard duties at Manhyia Palace, is that correct?

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: You have been on such duties from 2017

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: In respect of the duties that you were assigned to, you were also assigned to keeping dome weapons, Norico pistol with registration number A13006831

Twumasi: Yes, but i am not sure of the registration number

Lawyer: This gun that was assigned to you came along with two magazines on daily of 23 round of 9mm

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: And this pistol I’m talking about is a small pistol kept on a person

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: The size is such that you can also keep it in a waist bag

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: And at all material times, they were supposed to be in your custody until you officially handed over to your station officer

Twumasi: Yes, it is not everywhere you can go with a gun. It depends on the duty and the place where that duty is to be carried on

Lawyer: You have stated in your evidence that Victoria Dapaa, Maa Adwoa was your friend, tell the court what kind of friendship existed between the two of you

Twumasi: She was my friend, nothing else

Lawyer: I am putting it to you that you were in an amorous relationship with Victoria Dapaah, also known as Maa Adwoa

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: This amorous relationship you had with her was a subject of concern to your wife

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: As a result of that, you errebyaging [sic] marital issues with your wife.

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: Your wife is Yaa Afriyie. I put it to you that because of the marital issues you had with her, she left home on 19th of April

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: But you said on the 20th of April 2023, you went Efiduase to visit a friend

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: I put it to you that that friend is a female by name Joyce Acheampong

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: And i put it to you that that Joyve Acheampong is also your girlfriend

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: And u put it to you that the time you went to the said Joyce Acheampong, you knew that the police were chasing you

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: And you agree with me that you were arrested in the bush

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: And it was the said Joyce Acheampong who led the police to your location

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: You agree with me that you were arrested on 23 April 2023

Twumasi: It is not true; I was not arrested, I went to where the piluce were

Lawyer: What were those policemen you claim you went to doing?

Twumasi: He was not in police wear. So when I went there, he told me everything that had happened. He informed me that Maadwoa was dead and I was the main suspect, so I had to follow him to the police station.

Lawyer: So from what you have just said, is it the case that it was only one policeman who arrested you?

Twumasi: I was not arrested

Lawyer: I put to you that you are not being truthful about the circumstances of your arrest

Twumasi: What i have said is the truth

Lawyer: I put it to you that Chief Inspector also took your court statement in respect of this murder case during the time the peeps were also in the room your court statement was taken.

Twumasi: It is not true

Lawyer: I am putting it to you that this court statement dated 24th April was taken in the presence of an independent eyewitness

Twumasi: That is not true

Lawyer: And this statement has been admitted by the court

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: I am putting it to you that chief inspector pery wrote another statement on 30th May

Twumasi: That is not true

Lawyer: I am putting it to you that this case has been admitted by the court as part of the evidences provided

Twumasi: It is true but i have said several times that that is not my statement

Lawyer: These two statements, C and H as their landmarks, are your own account of what happened on the night of 20th April, 2023.

Twumasi: It is not true. I went to court in 25th April, and I saw that what was there was not my statement. I have denied it severally.

Lawyer: Before this case, did you know chief inspector Bedu?

Twumasi: Yes

Lawyer: Has he handled any case involving you before this one?

Twumasi: No. I know him because we work at the same station

Lawyer: You and inspector Plebu are not at the same unit.

Twumasi: Yes, but we are at the same area.

GA/AE

Sankofa Series: Here are the first 12 men who formed Nkrumah’s first ever

TWI NEWS

Hon. Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo has clarified why the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not officially represented at the recently held Economic Dialogue.

Speaking on The Big Issue with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV which was monitored by MyNewsGh, the MP stated, “I did my personal checks, and I did not come across any formal invitation sent to the party.

See More ❯

By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah

Sakumono, March 10, GNA – Mr. James Enu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, has described President John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration of a constitutional review committee as a necessary step to ensure that Ghana’s constitution reflects the country’s current needs and challenges.

President John Dramani Mahama on January 30 inaugurated an eight-member Constitutional Review Committee to identify and address gaps and challenges with the implementation of previous constitutional review work done by the 2010 Committee.

Mr. Enu, who is also a lawyer, said the 1992 Constitution, which had been in effect for almost 33 years, had not undergone any major review, saying that it was important to amend certain provisions of the constitution to promote good governance, strengthen democracy, and address legal and political concerns that have emerged over the years.

“There are a few provisions in the constitution that have come under discussion in terms of how we can review it to fit our current circumstances. As a nation, as we grow, our circumstances change, and it’s therefore important to review our laws to reflect our hopes and aspirations as a country,” he stated.

Speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he commended the President for initiating the constitutional review process, stressing that it was a necessary step for national progress, and called on all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and ordinary citizens, to participate in the review process.

The MP highlighted several key areas that the review might touch, which included whether to appoint or to elect Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

MMDCEs were currently appointed by the President and approved by local assemblies.

However, there has been an ongoing debate about whether these officials should be elected instead of appointed.

The MP also said the review might also address challenges around constitutional restrictions on dual citizens from holding certain public positions, explaining that this limitation prevented many people from contributing to the country’s development through public service.

“Once you have dual citizenship, you’re not eligible for certain positions, but arguments have been advanced to the effect that some of these people have ideas, acquired skills, and expertise that they can bring onboard to help the nation,” he stated.

He said that there had been continuous debates regarding whether elections for assembly members should be conducted along partisan lines, further noting that while the current system officially mandated non-partisan elections, in practice, many of the assembly members were politically aligned with specific parties, which was influencing their decisions and interactions within the assembly.

Mr. Enu stated that the ongoing review process might address this issue to ensure greater clarity regarding the elections of assembly members to determine whether assembly elections should remain apolitical or be officially conducted on a partisan basis, aligning with the political realities on the ground.

Another area the MP believed the review might touch on is the capping of the appointment of Supreme Court justices.

GNA

LS/GRB

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has reacted to the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s approach to engaging with traders at the Makola market ahead of the budget reading.

Speaking on Adom FM on Monday, March 10, 2025, Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that the Minority also engaged with traders at various markets to gather their expectations ahead of the budget reading; however, they chose not to take pictures or publicise the interactions in the same manner as their counterparts.

According to him, the excessive display of photos and images circulating on the internet, showing Dr Ato Forson interacting with market women is not necessary.

“… We the Minority also went out to engage with market women and traders but we didn’t take pictures to splash it on social media,” he indicated.

The lawmaker representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) acknowledged the importance of engaging with Ghanaians to gather their expectations, commending Dr. Ato Forson for taking such action.

However, he questioned the rationale behind these engagements after the cabinet had already approved the budget. He argued that public engagements should ideally take place before seeking cabinet approval.

“It is an important action that needs to be taken however, the minister is supposed to have these public engagements before seeking the approval from the cabinet. So, if you already get the approval from the cabinet before going out to engage traders, that is where the issue is but aside from that it is a good thing,” he said.

MAG/WB

In the meantime, catch the latest Twi News on GhanaWeb TV below:

Amma Prempeh is a freelance BBC journalist

Amma Prempeh, a freelance BBC journalist and producer, has stated that actively promoting culture is one of the key ways to boost the economy and foster a sense of unity and pride among citizens.

Speaking to GhanaWeb on a wide range of issues on March 6, 2025, she emphasized that cultural preservation and promotion offer myriad economic benefits.

According to the producer of Kente Culture Story Documentary Film – The Importance of Kente to Ghanaians and Black Africans, it is heartwarming to witness a growing awareness of cultural preservation among Ghanaian youth.

In her view, beyond preserving the country’s rich history, traditions, and values, there is significant economic potential in actively promoting Ghanaian culture both locally and on the world stage.

“Culture promotion can lead to economic benefits through tourism, arts, and crafts. By showcasing Ghanaian culture, the youth can attract tourists and create job opportunities in the cultural and creative industries,” she said.

Addressing the perception that prioritising culture may lead to a disregard for other cultures, she remarked, “Embracing one’s culture does not mean rejecting the traditions of others. Rather, it can lead to meaningful cultural exchanges and a better understanding of global diversity. This can enhance the youth’s ability to navigate and contribute to a globalized world.”

She cited the invitation to screen her Kente documentary at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, on February 3, 2025, as part of their Black History Month celebrations, as a clear example of cultural exchange.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm and acceptance of the concept of Kente by audiences that viewed my documentary in America and Europe,” she said.

Kente also made headlines in 2020 when the then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Patricia Pelosi, and other Democratic lawmakers appeared before Congress wearing colorful Kente scarves to propose legislation on police reform following weeks of protests over the death of African American George Floyd at the hands of a white officer.

It is also worth noting that, through Amma Prempeh’s active promotion of Kente cloth, this symbolic cultural resource and pride of Ghana was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.

This recognition acknowledges the cloth’s cultural and historical significance.

VPO/WLBK

Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below:

The 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia, Henry Boakye-Yiadom, has written to the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, for allegedly forging a gazette document.

In a letter dated March 7, 2025, the NDC candidate stated that Kumi, in his deposed affidavit at the Supreme Court to challenge an injunction application granted against him by the Koforidua High Court, attached a document captioned “Ghana Gazette, 6th January 2025.”

Boakye-Yiadom said his checks with the Ghana Publishing Company, the official publisher of the Ghana Gazette, showed that there was no publication on January 6, 2025, that included the Akwatia Constituency.

“Following the declaration of the election results, our client filed an election petition and an injunction application at the Koforidua High Court, and the court granted the injunction application.

“Further to the grant of the injunction, Ernest Kumi, through his lawyers, filed a certiorari application at the Supreme Court to quash the grant of the injunction. The said Ernest Kumi deposed to an affidavit for the application and attached as an exhibit a document captioned ‘Ghana Gazette, 6th January 2025,’” the letter from the lawyers of the NDC candidate, Kpatsa and Associates, stated.

It continued that, “However, when our client procured a copy of the Ghana Gazette document, it was found to be dated 24th December 2024. We have further written to the Ghana Publishing Company Ltd. (Assembly Press), the official publishers of the Ghana Gazette, to verify which of the publications is genuine, and the result was that there was no gazette publication for 6th January 2025 that included the Akwatia Constituency.”

Suspecting that the document presented to the Supreme Court could be fake, the NDC candidate has asked the CID to investigate the MP in accordance with the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960, Act 29.

“We suspect that the said gazette publication, attached as Exhibit D to the affidavit of Ernest Kumi, is an act of forgery. Respectfully, Madam, we are confident in your ability to handle this matter; hence, our humble petition to you to investigate this alleged issue of forgery of an official document, which is contrary to the relevant sections of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960, Act 29,” the letter concluded.

Ernest Yaw Kumi, the New Patriotic Party MP for Akwatia, has been embroiled in a legal dispute following his election in 2024.

Henry Boakye-Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress candidate, challenged the election results, which declared Kumi the winner with 19,269 votes against Boakye-Yiadom’s 17,206.

On January 3, 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued an interim injunction barring Ernest Kumi from being sworn in as MP, pending the resolution of this dispute.

Despite this, Kumi proceeded with the swearing-in on January 7, 2025, leading to a contempt of court conviction by Justice Senyo Amedahe on February 19, 2025.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing.

Ernest Kumi’s legal team has since appealed to the Supreme Court, which, in a 4-1 decision on February 27, 2025, stayed the High Court’s sentencing until a final ruling on March 12, 2025.

However, the contempt conviction and bench warrant remain in effect.

The legal arguments from Kumi’s side, led by Gary Nimako, center on procedural issues and claims of bias by the High Court judge, not on allegations of forgery.

GA/AE