Ghana Honors 102-Year-Old WWII Veteran Emmanuel Dake and Mourns Late COP Kwasi Mensah Duku

Ghanaian society is celebrating the remarkable longevity of a World War II hero while simultaneously mourning the loss of a prominent retired police commander. In the Volta Region, Private Emmanuel Dake, the oldest surviving World War II veteran in the area, recently marked his 102nd birthday at his residence in Peki-Dzake. A delegation from the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), led by WO I Kofi Amegbor, honored his service with a visit and several gifts including food, drinks, and money. Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service is grieving the passing of retired Commissioner of Police (COP) Kwasi Mensah Duku, who died on September 8 at the Police Hospital in Accra following a period of illness. Private Dake’s milestone celebration highlights a lifetime of dedicated service that took him as far as India during the Second World War. After his military discharge, he continued to contribute to the nation through his work at the Government Housing Agency and has remained an active participant in veteran affairs. During his 102nd birthday visit, Dake shared a message of encouragement for young soldiers, advising them to discharge their duties with zeal, commitment, and honesty. In his leisure time, the centenarian remains active and finds joy in listening to gospel music. The VAG delegation praised his enduring contributions and reminded all veterans to keep their contact information current to ensure continued support. In a contrasting moment of loss, the passing of COP Kwasi Mensah Duku (Retd) marks the end of a distinguished career in law enforcement. Originally from Goaso in the Ahafo Region, COP Duku was widely known for his leadership as the Ashanti Regional Police Commander. His professional legacy also includes significant tenures as the Regional Commander for the Western and Upper West Regions, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to national security across different jurisdictions. His cousin, Kwame Asare Boadu, has confirmed the death and noted that the family is currently organizing the one-week observation and final funeral rites to honor the late commander’s service. The lives of Private Dake and COP Duku together represent the profound history of Ghana’s security services, from international military deployments in the 1940s to modern regional police administration. While one continues to inspire as a living link to the past, the other leaves behind a legacy of public safety and institutional leadership. These developments serve as a reminder of the importance of recognizing the contributions of those who have served in uniform. As the VAG continues to celebrate the lives of its oldest members, the police community and the nation prepare to pay their final respects to a leader who dedicated his life to maintaining law and order.