Ghanaian academic Dr Kofi Akamani, a 48-year-old professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU), has died after being shot in Jackson County, Illinois.

His 35-year-old wife, Betty Akamani, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with his death.

The shooting occurred on Saturday, September 19, 2026, near a residence off Lake Road between Murphysboro and Carbondale. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a shooting report at about 5 p.m.

Akamani was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the shooting.

Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or released a detailed account of the events surrounding the incident. Betty Akamani’s murder charge remains an allegation and has not been proven in court.

Akamani was a professor in SIU’s Department of Forestry and was known for his work on forest governance, conservation, natural resources and the resilience of rural communities.

His academic journey included significant links to Ghana. He studied Planning at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology before obtaining an MPhil from the University of Oslo and a PhD in Natural Resource Sciences from the University of Idaho.

His research focused on environmental management and community resilience across Ghana and the United States.

In June 2026, he was elected Secretary General of the International Union of Biological Sciences for a three-year term, adding to a distinguished academic career.

Southern Illinois University has expressed condolences over his death, saying the loss has been felt by his family, students, colleagues and the wider university community.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, with further details expected as the police inquiry and court proceedings progress.