KNUST Closes Swimming Pool After Student's Death, Launches Investigation

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has closed its swimming pool temporarily following the death of a third-year Chemical Engineering student, David Osei Agyapong. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m. when Agyapong dived from the upper board into the 17-foot area of the pool and drowned. According to reports, Agyapong was an experienced swimmer and a regular user of the pool.

In response to the incident, the university's management has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances leading to Agyapong's death. The committee was established at an emergency meeting held on November 9, 2026, and has been given two weeks to submit its report. The committee's investigation will run concurrently with the Ghana Police Service's probe into the incident. The university has expressed its deepest condolences to Agyapong's family, friends, and colleagues.

The university has urged the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from speculating or circulating unverified information while investigations are ongoing. Agyapong's body was retrieved from the water by pool attendants, who then transported him to the nearby KNUST hospital for emergency medical care. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he could not be revived. The police are working to unravel the true circumstances surrounding the incident.

The KNUST swimming pool has been closed to students and the general public until further notice. The university's management has assured that it will take all necessary steps to ensure that the investigation is thorough and transparent. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place at the university's swimming pool.

According to the university's statement, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, the University Relations Officer, signed the announcement regarding the investigation and the closure of the swimming pool. The statement also acknowledged the support of the Ghana Police Service in investigating the incident. The university is cooperating fully with the police to determine the cause of Agyapong's death.

The incident has sparked an outpouring of sympathy for Agyapong's family and friends. The university community is in shock, and many are calling for improved safety measures at the swimming pool. The management has assured that it will take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

The investigation into Agyapong's death is ongoing, and the university has promised to provide updates as more information becomes available. The KNUST community is coming to terms with the loss of one of its students, and the incident will likely have a lasting impact on the university's policies and procedures.

Key points

• The university has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances leading to Agyapong's death.
• The KNUST swimming pool has been closed temporarily while investigations are ongoing.
• The university has urged the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from speculation.