KNUST Student Joana Yabani Laid to Rest Amidst Nationwide Mourning
The late Joana Deladem Yabani, a student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, was given a heartfelt farewell on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Her funeral service, held at the Jehovah Shammah Assemblies of God Church in New Ashongman, Accra, drew a multitude of mourners. In attendance were heartbroken family members, close friends, fellow students, and church leaders, as well as prominent figures including representatives from KNUST, the Achimota School Old Students Association, and several Assemblies of God congregations across Accra. The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Teye Cudjoe, accompanied by other security officials, also joined the solemn ceremony to honor the young woman’s memory.
Joana’s untimely demise on February 27 sent shockwaves throughout the country, prompting widespread grief and outrage. Remembered as a gifted and lively student with great potential, her life was tragically cut short. Her story has since sparked critical discussions on gender-based violence and the need for increased safety within relationships.
“Joana was a bright light, full of promise,” mourners said.
During the service, the launch of the JDAY Foundation was announced—an initiative established in her name to advocate for awareness and action against domestic and intimate partner violence.
Joana’s disappearance occurred while she was reportedly heading out to study. Her lifeless body was later discovered near the KNUST Rehabilitation and Disability Centre, sending shockwaves through the university and beyond. The prime suspect in the case, her boyfriend Daniel Tuffour, has since been apprehended and is currently undergoing trial. The case has sparked calls for justice and legislative reform to address the increasing incidents of relationship-related violence among young people in Ghana.
A thanksgiving service to celebrate Joana’s life and legacy is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, at the same church. Her passing has left an irreplaceable void, but her memory now fuels a national movement for change. Through the JDAY Foundation and ongoing public discourse, her story will continue to inspire advocacy, awareness, and action against violence, ensuring that Joana’s voice echoes far beyond her years.