24-year-old KNUST graduate died of asphyxia, severe pulmonary edema – Police

In a statement dated July 11, 2024, and signed by Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Affairs, the police stated that the cause of death was determined to be asphyxia, severe pulmonary edema, and drowning in a pool.

The autopsy was conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on June 8, 2024, in the presence of the deceased’s family.

“The body was later deposited at the morgue where an autopsy was conducted on June 8, 2024, in the presence of the deceased’s family by a pathologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital who verbally stated the cause of death as (i) Asphyxia (ii) severe pulmonary edema and (iii) drowning in a pool,” parts of the statement read.

The police further stated that an official complaint was received on June 8, 2024, following the death of Lois Abena Koranteng.

“On June 8, 2024, the Ghana Police Service received a complaint stating that Lois Abena Koranteng, a 24-year-old woman, had been found unconscious in a swimming pool at a hotel in Takoradi, Western Region. She was taken to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival,” the statement clarified.

Read the full statement below:

Background

The brother of 24-year-old deceased Lois Abena Koranteng, who died mysteriously during a business trip with her supervisor, has shared details on why he brought the matter to the public domain.

Speaking exclusively with GhanaWeb over a phone call, George Agyenim Boateng expressed displeasure over the slow-paced investigation into the death of his sister.

Following the death of Lois Koranteng, a petroleum engineering graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah Science and Technology, on June 7, 2024, the police are yet to make any arrests and are yet to address the family on the progress of their investigations, a month after the incident.

According to George Agyenim Boateng, the reports of the police autopsy conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital have also been concealed from the family, as the police claim they are holding the report to assist in their investigations.

Appealing to the police to speed up the investigations into the incident, he said he feels his sister’s case has been sidelined.

He added that this process, has, however, delayed and it is the reason he brought the attention of the public to the matter.

George Agyenim Boateng further stated that the company in question – Icon Energy, where his late sister worked, has since visited the family to formally express their condolences.

Recounting what actually happened, he said the late Lois Abena Koranteng called the family on June 7, 2024, to inform them of her business trip to Anaji, a township of Takoradi in the Western Region, together with one of her supervisors and a company driver.

The family, however, was contacted by the company on June 8, 2024, to inform them of the death of their relative, who reportedly was found in the swimming pool at dawn, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.