“He planned it” — Mother of slain KNUST student speaks one year after daughter’s death

A year after the tragic death of her daughter, the late Joana Deladem Yabani, Rejoice Amakie Yabani has shared heart-wrenching details surrounding the incident, revealing information uncovered through the family’s own investigations.
Speaking on GTV’s Women’s Voice show, in a discussion that resurfaced on social media on March 20, 2026, she said the prime suspect had made chilling statements prior to the tragedy, suggesting a possessive and dangerous mindset.
According to Rejoice Yabani, the suspect, Daniel Tuffour, had reportedly said that if he could not have Joana, no one else would, a revelation that highlighted troubling behaviors leading up to her death.
She added that her daughter had previously reported persistent advances from Tuffour, which led her father to confront him at the university. During the encounter, he reportedly advised Tuffour to focus on his studies and respect Joana’s decision to prioritize her education.
Despite these warnings, the situation ended in tragedy, leaving Rejoice Yabani struggling to comprehend how someone could act with such cruelty over unreciprocated feelings. She expressed disbelief that heartbreak, a common experience in youth, could escalate to murder.
The late Joana Yabani, a fourth-year Biological Sciences student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, was found dead in the early hours of February 27, 2025, near the university’s Disability and Rehabilitation Centre. Her body was transported to the University Health Services, where she was pronounced dead, and the family was formally informed.
Daniel Tuffour, who allegedly had a personal relationship with the late Joana, is the prime suspect in the ongoing murder trial. Rejoice Yabani revealed that CCTV footage and other evidence suggest he may have taken her daughter’s mobile phone prior to the incident, details that could prove important as the case proceeds.
The family remains committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that accountability is achieved for the loss of their daughter.