The late Akosua Adutwumwaa
The Edwenase community in the Ashanti Region has been thrown into a state of mourning following the suspected suicide of a 37-year-old nurse, Akosua Adutwumwaa, who was found dead in her home on Sunday morning.
The deceased, a nurse at the Kokofu Government Hospital, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan with a white rope around her neck in one of the rooms of her family home. According to her mother, Akosua had gone about her normal morning routine—completing chores and preparing breakfast for her two-year-old daughter—before she suddenly went missing.
“She woke up early, swept the compound, and cooked porridge for her child,” the grieving mother told reporters. “We didn’t suspect anything unusual until we couldn’t find her when it was time to go to church.”
A search by family members led to the tragic discovery. Authorities were immediately notified, and the body was conveyed to the Pramso Hospital for preservation and autopsy.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident. Officials say a post-mortem will help determine the exact cause of death, while inquiries are ongoing to establish if there were any underlying issues that may have influenced her actions.
The news of Akosua’s death has shocked residents of Edwenase, where she was well-known for her quiet and hardworking nature. Neighbours described her as a devoted mother and a dedicated health worker who showed no outward signs of emotional distress.
“This is the first time such a thing has happened in our community,” one resident remarked. “We are heartbroken.”
Management of the Kokofu Government Hospital has expressed its condolences, describing the late nurse as a committed professional who served with empathy and diligence. The hospital also revealed plans to offer psychological support to staff members in the wake of the tragedy.
In the days following her death, tributes have poured in on social media from friends, colleagues, and concerned members of the public. Many have expressed sympathy for her young daughter, and called for improved mental health support within the healthcare sector.
This incident has reignited conversations around the emotional and psychological challenges faced by healthcare workers, with growing calls for government and institutional efforts to strengthen mental health services and create safer, more supportive working environments.
Police investigations are still underway.
By David Afum, Kokofu