The academic community across the nation of Ghana is in shock following the tragic killing of Professor Mawuadem Koku Amedeker, a respected lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in Ghana. His body was discovered and exhumed from his own residence in Gyahadze, a suburb of Winneba, on May 22, after he had been missing for several weeks.
In a press release issued on Sunday, May 25, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), UEW Chapter, described the incident as “devastating” and noted that it had deeply shaken not just the UEW academic community, but the entire country.
“Prof Amedeker was a respected academic and a valued member of our university. His violent and untimely death has left a deep sense of grief and disbelief among his colleagues, students, and staff,” the statement read.
The case has resonated beyond Ghana’s borders, with scholars and education advocates across Africa raising concerns over the safety and protection of academics on the continent. UTAG-UEW expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and appreciated the support from UTAG’s National Executive Council during what it described as a difficult and “uncomfortable” period.
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The association commended the Ghana Police Service for their swift action in launching an investigation and arresting a suspect but urged authorities to intensify efforts to bring all involved to justice.
“We strongly urge the police to ensure that all individuals connected to this heinous act are apprehended and prosecuted,” UTAG-UEW stated.
UTAG-UEW also pledged its support for the investigation and called on governments, security services, and university authorities to work together to strengthen safety across campuses.
The union emphasized that this tragedy must serve as a wider call to action across Africa to prioritize the safety, dignity, and security of those working in academic spaces.
“We will honour Prof Amedeker’s legacy by continuing to uphold the values he lived by—truth, justice, and service to academia,” the statement concluded.