Adu was born on 14 August 1926 at Koforidua, New Juaben in the Eastern Region.
In 1972 he received an LLB (London) and was called to the English bar in July 1972.
He later joined the St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School staff from 1950 to 1952.
He returned to Mount Mary College of Education in 1958 and rose through the ranks to become the school's vice principal.
[5][2] He is the father of trade unionist Kwasi Adu Amankwah.