The mother of Joana Yabani, a final-year student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who was tragically murdered, has spoken publicly for the first time—one year after her daughter’s death.
In an emotional interview on GTV’s Women’s Voice programme, which has since circulated on social media, Rejoice Amakie Yabani revealed that the family had prior fears about their daughter’s safety.
She recounted that on the night before they received the devastating news, they had a conversation with Joana and cautioned her to be mindful of the people around her on campus.
According to her, the family suspected that someone close to Joana intended to harm her.
“We warned her to be careful about her friends, what she ate, and where she went,” she said.
Joana, however, assured them she could manage those concerns but noted that ongoing exams meant she still needed to go out to study. Her parents then advised her not to walk alone.
Rejoice Yabani believes her daughter’s death was not accidental but carefully planned.
She alleged that Daniel Tuffour, reportedly Joana’s boyfriend and a suspect in the ongoing murder trial, deliberately orchestrated the act.
She further claimed that evidence, including CCTV footage, suggests that the suspect had earlier taken Joana’s mobile phone while she was asleep—possibly to send and delete threatening messages.
“This was premeditated,” she insisted. “I do not agree with any suggestion of mental instability.
Everything was planned, even how her body would be moved.
My daughter reported some of these issues to the police, and the cameras captured key moments.
There is a lot that must come to light.”
Beyond the circumstances of the death, she expressed frustration with the handling of the case, alleging that both the police and the Attorney-General’s Department have failed to keep the family adequately informed about court proceedings.
“Sometimes we don’t even know when the case will be heard,” she said. “For nearly a year, we’ve been left in the dark.
It was only about a week before her first anniversary that a police officer took us to the Attorney-General’s office in Kumasi, where we were told they had been looking for us.”
She questioned that claim, saying it does not reflect the family’s experience, and vowed to pursue justice relentlessly.
“I will not let this go until justice is served,” she stated firmly. “If anyone tries to cover this up, they will have to deal with a determined mother.”