Student deaths are casting a dark shadow over Ghana’s universities. From suicides to road accidents, these tragedies highlight a deepening student death crisis. Schools like the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and KNUST have recently recorded multiple fatalities, sparking public concern.
The most recent case at UEW involved a first-year student who took his own life after discovering his girlfriend’s infidelity. This case adds to a growing number of student suicides, with over 50 recorded since 2020.
These were young people with big dreams—doctors, engineers, leaders in the making. Their deaths have shaken families, campuses, and the entire country. This report revisits their stories and calls for urgent action.
- Rita Anane – UEW
In October 2023, Rita, a third-year student at UEW, was found hanging in her hostel. Friends say heartbreak led to her suicide. Police arrested her ex-boyfriend after her family suspected foul play. - Afia Dedaa Osae-Atuah – KNUST
Afia, a Geography student, died in December 2024. A speeding trotro hit her while she was heading to repair her laptop. CCTV footage of the crash spread quickly online. - Joana Deladem Yabani – KNUST
Joana’s body was found near the KNUST Disability Centre around 5 a.m. on February 27, 2025. Police arrested her boyfriend, Daniel Tuffuor, for questioning. She was a final-year Biological Sciences student. - Saani Majeed – UEW
Saani, a final-year student, died on September 7, 2021, after a failed backflip during end-of-exam celebrations. He broke his neck during the stunt. - Emmanuel Kwabena Tetteh – University of Ghana
Emmanuel, a Political Science student, was found dead in his hostel in January 2024. He left a note explaining his struggles with depression and academic pressure. - Lydia – Ho Technical University
Lydia died in a road accident in January 2024 while traveling home from an internship in Accra. Her bus crashed into a broken-down vehicle with no warning signs. - Frederick Asamoah – KNUST
Frederick, 25, was found hanging in his room in August 2021. He had returned home during the UTAG strike. His uncle denied rumors that Frederick lost money through betting. - Lambert Frimpong – KNUST
Lambert, a second-year student, died in August 2023. A friend stabbed him during a fight over a missing shirt. Doctors declared him dead at the hospital. - Jim Ofori Twumasi – KNUST
Jim, the son of a former Sports Authority Director, collapsed while eating with friends on February 15, 2024. He was a top economics student and a PRESEC alumnus. - Adzo Ahadzie – KNUST
Adzo, an Architecture student, was hit by a car while cycling on campus on July 9, 2024. She was taken to the hospital but later died from her injuries.
