Professor Abdul Mumin Salifu Selanwiah, Principal of Tumu College of Education, has tragically lost his life in a devastating road accident.
The fatal crash occurred on the Tumu-Navrongo Highway between Bassisan and the Sissili Bridge as he returned from a trip to the Upper East Region.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Ambulance Service in Sissala East Municipality, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the police, were alerted to the accident scene on Monday, December 23, at approximately 2:00 PM.
The collision involved a Nissan Navara pick-up with registration number GV 27-16, driven by Professor Selanwiah, and a Shacman tipper truck with registration number GT 485-24. According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred at a sharp curve near the Sissili Bridge.
While attempting to avoid one oncoming tipper truck, the professor’s vehicle collided head-on with a second tipper truck following closely behind.
The impact crushed the roof of the pickup, trapping the professor inside. Security personnel eventually extricated his lifeless body from the mangled vehicle. Items recovered from the scene included his ID card, phone, cash, and official documents.
The driver and mate of the tipper truck survived the crash and were taken to the Tumu Police Station for questioning.
The College’s board chairman, Kuoro Mahamoud Zakaria Savei, expressed profound grief over the tragic loss, calling it a significant setback for the institution and the Sissala community.
“Professor Selanwiah was a hardworking leader who got along with everyone. His untimely death is a colossal loss to the College and the community. He had only been with us for 16 months, yet he made a remarkable impact,” Savei said.
Professor Selanwiah, who was appointed Principal on August 16, 2023, had been returning from Tamale after attending the funeral of the mother of Haruna Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament.
He was 46 years old and is survived by his wife and three children. He has been buried in accordance with Islamic tradition, and his final funeral rites will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2024, in Navrongo.
The entire Tumu College of Education community and beyond mourns the loss of a visionary leader whose legacy will be remembered.
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