By Issah Olegor
Questions are mounting in the Ahafo Region following the death of Emmanuel Asamoah, a resident of Sankore in the Asunafo South Municipality, who reportedly died just days after his arrest, conviction and transfer to prison custody, sparking calls from family members and friends for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The case has generated growing public concern after relatives alleged that the deceased was arrested, convicted and transferred to prison within a matter of days before subsequently dying under circumstances they describe as troubling and requiring urgent scrutiny by state authorities.
According to accounts provided by family members and associates, Emmanuel Asamoah had been linked to an alleged assault case dating back to the previous year.
However, they claim law enforcement authorities were unable to effect his arrest at the time because he had reportedly been away from Sankore for nearly a year.
His return to the town last week is said to have led to his arrest by police officers on May 31, 2026.
Relatives allege that the arrest was carried out in what they described as a “Rambo-style” operation in Sankore before he was transported to police cells in Goaso.
Family members further claim that following the arrest, Emmanuel Asamoah repeatedly complained about his health and the manner in which he had been handled by officers during the operation.
According to the family, concerns raised about his physical condition did not receive the level of medical attention they believed was necessary.
While relatives were reportedly making efforts to secure his release on bail and engaging police authorities in both Sankore and Goaso, the case took a dramatic turn.
The family alleges that on June 3, 2026, Emmanuel Asamoah was arraigned before the Goaso Circuit Court, where he was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment.
According to relatives, they were unaware that court proceedings had been scheduled and claim neither the family nor any legal representative was present when the sentence was handed down.
The allegations have fueled concerns about whether the accused had adequate legal representation and sufficient opportunity to prepare his defense before the court proceedings.
Following the conviction, relatives say they immediately began exploring legal avenues to challenge the judgment.
According to family sources, efforts were made to contact lawyers, including Nana Obiri Boahen and other legal practitioners, regarding the possibility of filing an appeal against the conviction.
However, before any legal processes could be initiated, Emmanuel Asamoah was transferred from Goaso to the Sunyani Central Prison on June 4, 2026, a day after his sentencing.
The family says they subsequently travelled to Sunyani to visit him at the prison facility.
Upon arrival, they claim prison officials informed them that he was unwell and asleep, making it impossible for them to see him.
What followed has deepened the mystery surrounding the case.
According to relatives, shortly after leaving the prison premises, they began hearing reports suggesting that Emmanuel Asamoah had either died on Friday, June 5, or Saturday, June 6.
Concerned by the rumours, family members and friends returned to verify the information.
They said upon making inquiries on June 7, they discovered that Emmanuel Asamoah had indeed died and that his body had already been deposited at a morgue.
Family members claim preliminary information available to them suggested that the deceased may have suffered internal bleeding and physical trauma before his death.
However, no official medical or post-mortem report has yet been publicly released to confirm the exact cause of death.
The circumstances surrounding the death have triggered widespread calls for a thorough and independent investigation into events from the time of his arrest through to his death in custody.
Relatives argue that key questions remain unanswered, including the nature of his medical condition while in police and prison custody, whether he received adequate healthcare, and the exact circumstances that led to his death.
Family members say Emmanuel Asamoah leaves behind two children and insist that the circumstances surrounding his death must be fully established to provide closure and accountability.
“We need justice. At least his children deserve to know what happened to their father,” one relative reportedly stated.
