Social media is abuzz with mixed reactions following a jilted lover’s death at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
Tertiary student deaths – both on and off campus – have become a troubling trend, with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) recording a distressing four fatalities within a short space of five months.
The latest incident is the grim reaper’s visit to the UEW campus, sucking the soul of a first-year student who reportedly ended his life after discovering his girlfriend’s infidelity.
This is the umpteenth case of student suicides, with more than 50 promising lives lost from 2020 to the present day.
These are not mere statistics, but aspiring doctors, engineers, and leaders whose dreams, ambitions, and the promise of a better future – one that could have touched families and the country – have been tragically extinguished.
With families shattered, communities grieving, and the entire country grappling with the weight of such loss, MyJoyOnline revisits the voices silenced too soon, highlighting a broader call to address these incidents.
1. Rita Anane – University of Education, Winneba
The death of the young man on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, is not the first and may not be the last at the UEW.
In October 2023, Rita Anane, a female third-year student at the University of Education, Winneba, in the Central Region, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her halls of residence
She reportedly hanged herself with a rope, with reports suggesting that she was heartbroken after a break-up with her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend was later arrested by the police to assist with investigations, following family members’ suspicions of foul play.
2. Priscilla Owusu – KNUST
Priscilla, a first-year Business Administration student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was hit by a speeding vehicle at Ayeduase, near the university’s main gate, in February 2024.
She was returning from evening lectures when the incident occurred. The driver fled the scene.
Despite being rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, she died due to severe head trauma. Her death sparked campus-wide protests demanding better pedestrian safety measures.
3. Joana Deladem Yabani – KNUST
In another incident involving two lovers, KNUST was struck by tragedy following the sudden death of Joana Deladem Yabani, a fourth-year Biological Sciences student.
In a statement released by university management, the institution confirmed that Miss Yabani’s lifeless body was discovered near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre at approximately 5:00 a.m. on February 27, 2025.
Upon receiving the distress report, KNUST Security Services swiftly transported the body to the University Health Services, where medical personnel confirmed her passing.
Investigations led to the arrest of her boyfriend, 21-year-old Daniel Tuffuor, a final-year student also at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), to assist with investigations.
4. Saani Majeed – University of Education, Winneba
A final year student of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), died after a bizarre turn of events on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
He died after a failed acrobatic move during celebrations.
Saani Majeed is said to have broken his neck while backflipping as part of a mini-performance while celebrating after writing his final exam.
5. Emmanuel Kwabena Tetteh – University of Ghana
Emmanuel, a final-year Political Science student at the University of Ghana, was found dead in his halls of residence in January 2024. He left behind a note describing his battle with depression and academic pressure. His passing shocked peers and staff alike, leading to renewed national dialogue on student mental health and the lack of counselling resources on university campuses.
6. Lydia Akorfa Doku – Ho Technical University
Lydia, a nursing student from Ho Technical University, died in a tragic road accident on the Accra-Ho highway in January 2024. She had just completed her internship at a hospital in Accra and was travelling home. A commercial minibus she was in collided with a broken-down vehicle that had no hazard signs. She died on the spot. Her classmates called her “the helper,” known for assisting patients even beyond her shifts.
7. Frederick Asamoah – KNUST
Frederick Asamoah, a 25-year-old student of KNUST, died in his room at Adoato, near Bantama, in 2021.
Frederick Asamoah was found with a noose around his neck, hanging from a ceiling fan in the early hours of Wednesday, August 18.
Confirming the news, an uncle of the deceased, Kofi Abrefa Busia, explained that Frederick returned home on Friday after the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) strike.
According to him, the family had supper together on the evening of Tuesday, August 17, 2021, after which Frederick went to bed at about 10 pm.
On Wednesday, August 18, the mother decided to give him some money before leaving for work.
There was no response after several knocks on the door, and the family called a carpenter to break the lock.
They were shocked to find the lifeless body of Frederick, who was bare-chested and wearing a pair of black shorts.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Frederick lost a bet after wagering GHC 60,000, hoping to win and pay off a debt of GHC 200,000.
However, the uncle refuted the claims, indicating that Frederick “does not engage in betting”.
8. Lambert Frimpong – KNUST
A second-year student of KNUST was stabbed to death by his friend at Kronum-Kwapra in the Ashanti Region on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
It was after a brawl between the 24-year-old student and his friend over a missing t-shirt. The deceased, Lambert Frimpong, was accused of stealing the shirt, which he vehemently denied.
The misunderstanding led to Lambert being stabbed with a knife. He was declared dead after being rushed to the hospital.
9. Jim Ofori Twumasi – KNUST
Peter Twumasi, the former National Sports Authority Director General, sadly lost his first child, Jim Ofori Twumasi, who was a final-year student at KNUST on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Jim Ofori Twumasi was in the economics faculty.
The devastating news was rife on the school’s social media handle, where heartfelt condolences were extended to the bereaved family.
Preliminary reports indicated that Jim Ofori Twumasi tragically collapsed while dining with his friends on campus.
Jim was an alumnus of the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) and was known by his peers and teachers for his dedication and academic prowess.
