The final farewell to Joana Deladem Yabani, a young student whose tragic death shocked the KNUST community, was held under somber and tightly controll
The final farewell to Joana Deladem Yabani, a young student whose tragic death shocked the KNUST community, was held under somber and tightly controlled conditions in Accra on Saturday, April 5.
Joana, a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) student, was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, Daniel Tuffour, on February 27, 2025.
Her lifeless body was discovered near the Rehabilitation and Disability Centre on the university’s campus, prompting an immediate police investigation that led to the arrest of Tuffour, who is currently standing trial.
Her funeral service, held at the Jehovah Shammah Assemblies of God church in Ashongman, was marked by emotional scenes as family, friends, and sympathizers struggled to come to terms with the loss of the vibrant young woman.
Joana was described as calm, intelligent, and compassionate — a personality that endeared her to many who knew her closely.
The service attracted a cross-section of mourners, including dignitaries like Cyril Nsiah and George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council.
In addition, students and alumni from both Achimota School and KNUST turned out in their numbers to pay their final respects.
Despite widespread media interest in the case, access to the funeral ceremony was tightly restricted.
The legal team handling the ongoing criminal case had directed that journalists be barred from the main auditorium to protect the sanctity of the event and ensure the privacy of the grieving family during this sensitive period.
Following the church service, Joana’s body was transported to her hometown, Hohoe Logba in the Volta Region, where she was laid to rest.
Speaking at the funeral, Adeline Baidoo, President of the Ghana Women Forum and a lecturer at Accra Technical University, used the moment to address the dangers of staying in abusive relationships.
“I was once in a toxic relationship,” she revealed. “I left when my husband started beating me. If I hadn’t left, I don’t know what would have happened to me by now.”
She urged women to be vigilant and to leave harmful relationships before it’s too late.
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