The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., has paid tribute to the late Dr Kofi Akamani, a Ghanaian-born academic and professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the United States.

Dr Akamani, who died on September 19, 2026, aged 48, was a respected scholar whose work focused on forestry, conservation, natural-resource management and the relationship between communities and their environment.

He was a Professor of Forest Recreation and Conservation Social Science at Southern Illinois University. His academic journey began in Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology before obtaining an MPhil from the University of Oslo and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho.

Throughout his career, Dr Akamani contributed to major international scientific assessments involving forests, biodiversity, climate change and natural-resource management. In June 2026, he was elected Secretary General of the International Union of Biological Sciences for the 2026–2029 term.

He also received recognition for his academic contributions, including the 2016 Early Career Faculty Excellence Award from Southern Illinois University and the 2023 International Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources.

Dr Akamani’s death followed a shooting in Jackson County, Illinois. Authorities said he was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead. His wife, Betty Akamani, was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with his death. The charges remain allegations pending the outcome of court proceedings.

His passing has prompted tributes from his family, colleagues, academic institutions and international scientific organisations, with many remembering him for his scholarship, commitment to education and contributions to environmental and natural-resource research.