Women of Valour demands urgent and transparent justice in KNUST student’s murder

The suspect, Daniel Tuffuor [L] and deceased Yobani Deladem Aku [R]

Women of Valour (WoV), an advocacy group championing women’s rights, has called for urgency, transparency, and diligence in handling the murder case of Yabane Deladem Aku, a final-year Biological Science student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The group insists that authorities must ensure the perpetrator is fully held accountable under the law.

In a strongly worded statement on February 28, WoV described the murder as a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat of gender-based violence. The organization also raised concerns about the safety of women and girls, even in spaces meant for education and personal development.

Beyond condemning the attack, WoV emphasized that justice must be swift and thorough. The arrest of suspect Daniel Tuffour has been welcomed as a positive step, and KNUST has assured students that security measures will be reinforced to protect them. However, WoV argues that such commitments must translate into concrete legal action to hold the perpetrator accountable and serve as a deterrent against future acts of violence.

“While we acknowledge the swift response of the Ghana Police Service in arresting a suspect and KNUST’s reaffirmed commitment to student safety through planned security enhancements, we urge the authorities to pursue this case with urgency, transparency, and diligence to ensure the perpetrator is held fully accountable under the law,” the group stressed.

As Ghanaian society grapples with the shock of Yabane’s murder, the advocacy group extended its condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. WoV reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence and ensuring safer environments for women and girls.

“Justice for Yabane must be swift, decisive, and uncompromising,” the statement concluded.

Joana Yabane was found dead near the Central Laboratory on the university campus in the early hours of Thursday. In a statement, the university confirmed that her body was discovered close to the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre around 5:00 a.m. on February 27, 2025.

The tragic killing has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among KNUST students, many of whom are demanding increased security and stricter protective measures on campus. It has also reignited discussions about the broader issue of violence against women, with advocacy groups calling for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable individuals.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Daniel Tuffour, was arraigned before Kumasi Circuit Court 2 on Friday, February 28, and subsequently remanded into custody.