Tragedy as 37-Year-Old Nurse Akosua Commits Suicide

Tragedy as 37-Year-Old Nurse Akosua Commits Suicide: Edwenase Mourns, Mental Health in Healthcare Under Scrutiny

The Edwenase community in Ghana’s Ashanti Region is in mourning following the tragic suicide of Akosua Adutwuwaa, a 37-year-old nurse at Kokofu Government Hospital, who was found dead in her room on Sunday morning. The devastating incident has reignited urgent calls for mental health support for healthcare professionals across Africa.

According to her mother, Akosua began her day as usual, rising early to complete household chores and prepare porridge for her two-year-old daughter. Showing no visible signs of distress, her morning routine appeared normal. However, between 7 and 8 a.m., as the family prepared for church, Akosua was reported missing. A frantic search by family and neighbors ended in heartbreak when she was found lifeless, hanging from a ceiling fan with a white rope around her neck.

The sudden loss of Akosua, described by residents as a quiet, hardworking, and devoted mother and nurse, has left the Edwenase community in shock. Many are struggling to process the fact that this is reportedly the first such tragedy in the area, deepening the collective grief and disbelief.

Akosua’s body has been taken to Pramso Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted under the supervision of the Ashanti South Regional Police Command. Authorities are investigating to determine the full circumstances of her death, including any underlying factors that may have contributed to this tragic event.

Kokofu Government Hospital management expressed profound sorrow, describing Akosua as a compassionate and diligent healthcare professional. In response to the tragedy, the hospital has committed to providing psychological support to staff members grappling with the loss of their colleague.

Tributes have flooded social media, with friends, colleagues, and loved ones sharing messages of condolence and support for Akosua’s family, particularly her young daughter, now left without her mother. The outpouring of grief underscores the profound impact Akosua had on those around her.

This tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about mental health in the healthcare sector. Nurses and other healthcare workers often face immense emotional and professional pressures, yet access to mental health resources remains limited. Advocates are calling for stronger support systems, increased mental health awareness, and proactive interventions to address the silent struggles of healthcare professionals and prevent future tragedies.

The loss of Akosua Adutwuwaa highlights the critical need for comprehensive mental health initiatives in African healthcare systems to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support the nursing profession