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Education Minister orders probe into death of UCC student
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Ghana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the death of Innocentia Avinu, a Level 200 student at the University of Cape Coast UCC. Her body was discovered at a beach in Cape Coast. The Ministry of Education released a statement on June 14, 2026, instructing UCC management to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service to determine the circumstances of her death. The Ministry expressed profound sadness over the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the university community. The public has been urged to allow the investigation to proceed without interference. Innocentia Avinu was last seen on June 11, 2026, at the Ayensu Plaza Hostel on the UCC campus before her body was found washed ashore near Hutchland Beach Resort.
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Private legal practitioner and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has criticized the public's outrage regarding Canada's decision to deny Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey a temporary residence visa for a tournament. This denial occurred amid Partey's ongoing criminal case in the UK. In a social media post on June 14, 2026, Barker-Vormawor highlighted that Partey is facing seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, yet is on bail and could still attend a World Cup. He pointed out what he perceives as contradictions in public expectations and the legal framework, criticizing Ghana’s criminal justice system. Barker-Vormawor argued that public attitudes often reinforce overly restrictive approaches to bail and pre-trial liberty in Ghana, where suspects granted bail may face strict reporting conditions for years before a trial begins. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the UK, which stem from allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. The Ghanaian government has urged Canada to review its decision. Ghana is scheduled to play Panama in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Must ReadThe Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice CHRAJ has issued a warning that child labor continues to prevent thousands of children in Ghana from attending school. On June 12, 2026, marking the World Day Against Child Labour, CHRAJ stated that protecting children's rights is crucial for human dignity and social justice. The Commission highlighted that child labor deprives many children of their right to education, protection, development, and a safe childhood, despite Ghana's legal protections including the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Globally, about 138 million children are in child labor, with 54 million in hazardous work. In Ghana, 2023 data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates over 1.1 million children aged 5–17 were engaged in economic activity, and more than 458,000 of these children were not attending school. CHRAJ emphasized that this situation hinders children's access to education and opportunities, perpetuating poverty. Under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” CHRAJ called for renewed national commitment to address child labor, which it described as a direct violation of national and international law, warning that inaction could worsen inequality and undermine development.
Ghana's Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has expressed disappointment with FIFA's response to the visa denial preventing Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey from participating in Ghana's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada. Speaking on Friday, June 12, 2026, Adams stated that FIFA has poorly handled situations surrounding the World Cup and questioned its stance that it cannot interfere in host countries' immigration decisions. He argued that FIFA has a responsibility to ensure accredited players are not unfairly prevented from participating, especially since Partey has met all eligibility requirements and has not violated any FIFA regulations. Adams highlighted that this issue concerns a key national team member, not an ordinary fan, and criticized FIFA's "lame statement" on the matter. He noted that countries hosting major international sporting events typically commit to providing access to participating athletes and officials. The minister also pointed out that Partey has recently been granted a visa to the United States and travels internationally despite ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. Adams appealed for a review of the visa refusal, emphasizing its broader implications beyond Ghana's World Cup campaign.