The Ghana Police Service in the Central Region has arrested a suspect in connection with the gruesome murder of a senior lecturer from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
According to a press release issued by the Central Regional Police Command, the suspect, identified as Joshua Karry Arthur, was apprehended after a search at the residence of the missing lecturer led to the discovery of incriminating evidence.
“The deceased lecturer had been reported missing on 21st May, 2025 by his colleagues who had indicated to the Police that all efforts to reach him had yielded no response”.
Ghana Police Service , Central Regional Command
Acting swiftly on the report, the police visited the lecturer’s home at Essuokyir, where they encountered the suspect.
Suspicion deepened when investigators noticed bloodstains within the premises. According to the statement, the stains were methodically traced to a nearby heap of sand located approximately 23 metres from the house.
Upon clearing the sand, officers uncovered the shocking truth: the body of a man, later identified as the missing lecturer, had been buried in a shallow grave.
According to the statement, the remains were promptly exhumed and conveyed to the morgue for preservation and an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.
The statement announced that the Central Regional Police Command have since launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the suspect currently in custody assisting with inquiries.
Items Retrieved
Further compounding the tragedy were items retrieved from the suspect during his arrest. The statement confirmed that two Samsung phones, a laptop, a 50-inch television, and a car key to a Toyota Fortuner—all identified as belongings of the deceased professor—were found in his possession.
These items are being held as evidence, underscoring the possibility of a premeditated crime with potential motives rooted in robbery, betrayal, or deeper personal grievances.
The University of Education, Winneba community has been plunged into mourning following the grim discovery.
Prof. Mawuadem Koku Amedeker was known among colleagues and students as a committed academic whose contributions to scholarship and student mentorship had earned him widespread respect.
He was born at Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region. He had his basic school education in three regions of Ghana, namely the Ashanti Region, the Eastern Region and the Volta Region.
He then proceeded to St. Peter’s Secondary School, Nkwatia-Kwahu, where he had his ‘O and ‘A’ level education. He proceeded to the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where he had his B.Ed. (Physics and Mathematics) and B. Sc. (Hon) in Physics in 1977 and 1978, respectively.
After teaching at Advanced Teacher Training College, Winneba, for about 10 years, He proceeded to the University of Manchester, UK, where he obtained an MSc (Theoretical Physics) degree.
He later went to Edith Cowan University, Perth, in Western Australia, where he obtained a PhD. (Science and Technology) degree in 2008.
He lectured at the Department of Science Education at the University of Education, Winneba, from 1995 until his tragic death.
The event has spurred a wider discussion about personal security and safety, especially for professionals and academics living in remote or unmonitored areas.
Joshua Karry Arthur, the suspect, will likely be arraigned in court in the next few days as the investigation continues.
