Ghana's public universities have recorded at least 13 student deaths from non-natural causes since 2024. These fatalities stem primarily from road accidents, suicides, and attacks, triggering significant concerns about campus safety.
A recent surge in these deaths has intensified worries among students, parents, and university authorities nationwide. The count excludes deaths attributed to natural illnesses, focusing on external causes. Affected institutions include the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC), and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
This alarming trend fits into a broader national conversation about student welfare and institutional responsibility. The numbers reflect a worrying pattern, with six student deaths recorded in 2024, four in 2025, and three in the first half of 2026. These figures represent the cases reported in media, suggesting the actual number might be higher due to the absence of a centralised database for student deaths. This highlights a systemic gap in official record-keeping for tertiary institutions.
JoyNews Research, which analysed media reports, confirmed these numbers. The research noted that KNUST recorded the highest number of casualties. Between late 2024 and early 2025, KNUST alone reported four student deaths within approximately five months. These incidents ranged from road crashes, some captured on widely shared CCTV footage, to the murder of Joana Deladem Yabani in February 2025. Her boyfriend has since been charged with her murder and remains remanded.
Most deaths resulted from road and traffic accidents, many occurring on or near campus roads. Suicides emerged as the second leading cause, often linked to relationship breakdowns and the academic or mental health pressures students face. For instance, an unnamed first-year UEW student died by suicide in April 2025. This incident, among others, has led student leaders to advocate for better counselling services and improved campus security measures.
Universities have typically responded by initiating investigations, ordering post-mortems, and promising enhanced security. After a University of Energy and Natural Resources student was attacked by suspected armed robbers in 2024, police arrested one suspect. The university also offered counselling to survivors. These administrative steps are crucial but highlight an ongoing need for proactive, preventative measures.
The most recent incident, the death of Innocentia Avinu, a 20-year-old UCC student, has garnered significant public attention. Her body was found at Hutchland Beach near Cape Coast on June 12, after she left her hostel on June 11 to meet someone off-campus. Police arrested a 39-year-old man on June 15, who preliminary investigations suggest picked up Ms. Avinu from her hostel. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has ordered a full, transparent investigation into this tragic event. This ministerial intervention underscores the gravity of the situation and the government's commitment to addressing campus safety, which is now a matter of national priority.