The public recognition bestowed upon Cpl Edward Opoku is not merely a consequence of a job promotion, but rather a result of the exceptional acts that have earned him such praise.
While serving as a lance corporal in the Ghana Prisons Service, this courageous individual went above and beyond to facilitate the apprehension of an escaped fugitive from the Ahinsan Camp Prison in Kumasi, located in the Ashanti Region.
As stated in a report by graphic.com.gh, Cpl Edward Opoku, with service number 11557, and also serving as a sound engineer with the Prison’s Master Piece Band, demonstrated exceptional professionalism and courage in his actions, leading to his well-deserved recognition.
The report dated December 3, 2022, said the officer, stationed in Accra, mentioned that he was en route to visit a friend in Asiwa, Kumasi. However, the journey came to an unexpected halt at Bomfa Akyiase, as the driver of the commercial vehicle he was traveling with decided to end the trip there.
Before he could proceed with his journey, he overheard some residents in the area discussing the arrest of a fugitive.
Further reports indicate that the officer was informed that the man had managed to escape from prison and was apprehended while attempting to steal a mobile phone in the community.
Despite the enraged residents’ near-lynching stance towards the fugitive, Cpl Opoku courageously took the risk and intervened, rescuing the escapee, but not without sustaining injuries himself in the process.
“I sustained injuries while trying to protect the fugitive. I feared for the life of the fugitive but the angry mob would not listen to me. had to show them my identification card at some point,” he said, the report added.
After successfully apprehending the fugitive, Cpl Edward Opoku proceeded to take him to the nearest police station located in Pemenase, a community situated after Bomfa Akyiase. However, the policemen at the station declined to receive the prisoner due to concerns that he might not withstand custody, given his weakened state from the beatings he endured. Cpl Edward Opoku then took it upon himself to bring the escapee to a medical facility, where both of them received the necessary medical attention.
Subsequently, Cpl Edward Opoku facilitated the transfer of the fugitive to the Kumasi Central Prison and later arranged for his relocation to the Prison’s headquarters in Accra, as mentioned in the report.