UCC Student Found Dead at Beach, Police Start Probe

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) community has been thrown into mourning following the discovery of the body of a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource) student at the Hutchland Beach area near Duakor in Cape Coast.

The deceased has been identified as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a student of the University, whose body was found washed ashore on Friday, June 12, 2026.

An official statement from School’s Public Affairs Directorate said, the Police received a distress report at about 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, from residents of the Duakor community that a body had been washed ashore along the beach.

The statement reads in part “Police received a report at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12 2026, from residents of the Duakor Community indicating that a body had been washed ashore along the beach. Upon receipt of the information, the Police promptly proceeded to the scene to verify the report.

“Following preliminary examination at the scene, the police observed no visible signs of physical injury. The body was subsequently conveyed to the mortuary at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) pending formal identification and further investigations.”

In addition, the statement revealed that, the Office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs has taken the lead in coordinating the institution’s response and is assisting law enforcement officers with identification processes and the gathering of relevant information.

“In response, the Dean of Students’ Affairs was notified to assist with the identification process and related administrative procedures. This line of inquiry was subsequently reinforced when the deceased’s roommate, with whom she resided in a private hostel at Amamoma, a nearby community to the University of Cape Coast, reported to the Police Station with a photograph, which aided in confirming the identity as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu” it explained.

The body of the deceased according to the statement has since been transferred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation, identification, and post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

The school management have appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified information about the case, cautioning that speculation could undermine ongoing investigations and cause additional distress to the family and the university community.

“The Police has assured the public that investigations are ongoing. The General Public is also being advised to desist from sharing or publicising false information about the incident, as such actions may impede ongoing investigations and cause unnecessary distress to the bereaved family, course mates. The University Management has been duly informed, and appropriate support measures are being extended to the family, the affected roommate, colleague students and course mates during this difficult period” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu has expressed sadness over the death of the student and directed the university authorities to work with the Ghana Police Service to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement, the Minister described the news as deeply distressing and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

“The Ministry of Education has received with deep sadness reports of the death of Ms Innocentia Avinu, a Level 200 student at the University of Cape Coast, at a beach in Cape Coast,” the statement said.

According to the statement, “The Honourable Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the authorities of the University of Cape Coast to collaborate closely with the Ghana Police Service to commence a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.”