Dr Kofi Akamani, a Ghanaian professor based in the United States, has been shot dead in Illinois.
Reports suggest the 48-year-old was fatally wounded in a shooting reported near Lake Road, between Murphysboro and Carbondale, at about 5 p.m. on Saturday.
According to reports, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies who responded to the scene found Akamani injured.
The professor was subsequently taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.
Dr Kofi Akamani worked as a lecturer at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, where he taught subjects including forest recreation and conservation social science.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has now arrested the late professor’s 35-year-old wife, Betty Akamani, in connection with the incident and was facing multiple charges
However, authorities said the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, no further details have been released by authorities.
The late Dr Akamani’s academic journey began in Ghana at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Development Planning with a specialisation in Urban Planning.
He also obtained an MPhil from the University of Oslo’s Centre for Development and the Environment in 2006 before earning a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho.
Also, during his doctoral studies, Dr Akamani returned to Ghana for six months to research collaborative forest management and its impact on the social and ecological resilience of two forest-dependent communities in the Ashanti Region.
In other news, some months ago, a young Ghanaian lady in the United States was found dead in Manassas Park, Virginia.
The Ghanaian has been identified as Akua Akomea, a 23-year-old.
Reports had earlier revealed that Akua Akomea went missing on Thursday, May 7.
According to the Prince William County Police Department, Akua Akomea was found dead in Manassas Park.
The Prince William County Police Department, in a statement released on social media on May 7, read, “*UPDATE: Akua AKOMEA, who was reported missing and endangered earlier this morning, was located deceased in Manassas Park. The investigation into Akua’s death is being handled by Manassas Park police.
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*MISSING ENDANGERED ADULT: The Prince William County Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating Akua AKOMEA, age 23, of Manassas. Akua was reported missing on May 7 at approximately 12:45 a.m. and may be operating a black 2022 Honda Civic with VA license plate: UBG-3720. Akua recently made concerning statements prompting concern for her wellbeing; however, she is believed to be missing under voluntary circumstances. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this person is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or your local police department.
Akua AKOMEA is described as a Black female, 23 years of age, 5’5”, 120lbs with black hair and brown eyes.
Unknown clothing description”.
See the post below:
A 48-year-old US-based Ghanaian lecturer at Southern Illinois University (SIU), Kofi Akamani, has reportedly been shot dead at a home off Lake Road in Jackson County, United States on Saturday.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) September 21, 2026
His 35 year old wife, Betty Akamani, has been arrested in connection with the… pic.twitter.com/RtRvGmJboN
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