In a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing incident, a first-year student at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), identified as Khon Void, tragically took his own life in a manner that has sent shockwaves across social media and the student community. The 100-level student reportedly Facetimed a group of his friends moments before and during the act of hanging himself with a rope from the ceiling of his dorm room.
According to sources close to the incident, Khon Void had been showing signs of emotional distress in the days leading up to his death, though few could have predicted the tragic turn it would take. On the evening of the incident, Void reportedly initiated a FaceTime video call with some of his closest friends. During the call, he appeared calm at first, but soon began to say goodbye and express his pain and exhaustion with life. His friends, realizing that something was terribly wrong, urged him to stop and begged him to talk to someone or seek help. Unfortunately, their desperate pleas were not enough.
Reports state that Void positioned his phone in a way that captured the tragic scene, then climbed onto a chair and placed a rope around his neck. His friends watched in horror, some screaming and crying over the phone, unable to physically intervene. The call reportedly ended shortly after the act, as friends tried frantically to reach someone nearby who could come to his aid. Sadly, by the time help arrived, it was too late.
The video call has since sparked widespread concern and sorrow, as well as outrage over the mental health support systems in place for university students in Ghana. Students and friends of Khon Void have taken to social media to express their grief, share their disbelief, and call for stronger mental health advocacy and resources on campus. The incident has also brought renewed focus to the challenges faced by young people in university settings—academic pressure, financial difficulties, loneliness, and social expectations, all of which can contribute to emotional turmoil.
UEW has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, though campus authorities are believed to be conducting investigations. Counselors have been deployed to the school to provide psychological support to students affected by the tragedy, especially those who witnessed the incident via the video call.
A close friend of Void, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters that “Khon was a quiet and intelligent guy. He didn’t talk much about his problems, but you could see in his eyes sometimes that something was bothering him. I just wish he had opened up more or that someone could have helped him in time.”
Mental health advocates are urging institutions to take more proactive steps in preventing such tragedies. While Ghana has made some strides in mental health awareness, access to proper counseling and emotional support remains limited in many universities and public institutions.
The tragic death of Khon Void is a stark reminder of the urgent need to normalize conversations around mental health and to ensure that students know it’s okay to ask for help. In moments of crisis, a listening ear, professional help, and timely intervention can make all the difference.
As tributes pour in from students, staff, and people across the nation, one message stands out above all: this tragedy should never have happened. It is a wake-up call not only for UEW but for all educational institutions to prioritize the well-being of their students and provide safe spaces for them to express their pain without fear or stigma.
