The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong in the Bronx, New York, on October 29, 2026, has brought renewed attention to the dangers confronting Ghanaians living, studying and working abroad.
Frimpong was reportedly shot in the Claremont section of the Bronx while on his way to school. His death is among several reported cases of Ghanaians losing their lives overseas between 2025 and 2026 through shootings, stabbings, terrorist attacks and armed conflict.
A review of reported incidents and official disclosures by PSK Ghana identifies cases across North America, Europe, West Africa, Southern Africa and the Russia-Ukraine war.
North America: Shootings and violent deaths
Javits Frimpong, 15, killed in the Bronx
Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, was shot dead in the Claremont section of the Bronx, New York, on October 29, 2026.
He was reportedly on his way to school when he was shot. His father told local media that he suspected bullying may have been connected to the killing, although investigators had not established a motive.
The New York Police Department was searching for three people in connection with the shooting, according to reports published after the incident.
Akpene Tetteh, 37, shot dead in Georgia
Akpene Tetteh, a 37-year-old Ghanaian and doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University, was shot dead in Savannah, Georgia, on February 12, 2026.
A juvenile, Naasir Clark, was arrested and subsequently indicted on a murder charge in connection with her death, according to US media reports.
Dr Kofi Akamani and his two children
Dr Kofi Akamani, an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University, was killed alongside his two children in Illinois on September 19, 2026.
His wife, Betty Akamani, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. She pleaded not guilty on October 6, 2026, with the case scheduled for trial on November 16.
The charges remain allegations to be determined through the judicial process.
George Ennin stabbed in the Bronx
George Ennin, 53, was stabbed to death in the Bronx, New York, on January 5, 2026.
A suspect, Sean Jones, was indicted in connection with the killing.
Belinda Sarkodie killed in Canada
Belinda Sarkodie, 26, was shot dead in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on July 11, 2025.
Hamilton Police said she was likely an innocent bystander caught in a crossfire incident. Investigators believed another male victim may have been the intended target and said there was no known connection between Sarkodie and the suspected target.
Sarkodie had immigrated to Canada from Ghana in 2024.
Alfred Okyere killed in Saskatoon
Alfred Okyere, 23, was killed in a stabbing incident at a commercial facility in Saskatoon, Canada, on January 20, 2025.
Troy Francis Leclair was charged with first-degree murder. Police also investigated a possible racial motive, although this did not establish that the killing was a hate crime.
Europe: Deaths and unanswered questions
Michael Ababio killed in Coventry
Michael Ababio, 18, was killed in Coventry, England, on February 22, 2026.
Four people were convicted in connection with the incident in September 2026. Two defendants admitted manslaughter, while a 17-year-old was found guilty of murder. Ismail Nabeel was also convicted of murder and wounding with intent after changing his plea.
Nana Agyei Ahyia dies in Latvia
Nana Agyei Ahyia died after falling from an apartment building in Riga, Latvia, on June 2, 2025.
The circumstances surrounding his death raised questions among his family, including concerns about possible poisoning. However, these concerns have not been established as facts.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had facilitated arrangements for family members and a pathologist to travel to Latvia and engage the relevant authorities.
West Africa: Eight Ghanaian traders killed in Burkina Faso attack
Eight Ghanaian tomato traders were killed in an attack attributed to suspected jihadists in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, on February 14, 2026.
Seven traders were initially reported dead. An eighth victim, who had been injured and taken for medical treatment, later died, bringing the confirmed Ghanaian death toll to eight.
The Ghanaian government confirmed the deaths and condemned the attack.
Southern Africa: Four Ghanaians die in South Africa
Ghana recorded the deaths of four citizens in South Africa between April and July 2026 amid heightened concerns about xenophobic violence.
The individuals identified in reports were Amoonu Jailor Nash, Bashiru Isak, Kwadwo Antwi and Ebenezer Ayi Tawiah. The circumstances of their deaths were not identical, and not all four have been established as victims of xenophobic attacks.
In the case of Bashiru Isak, 44, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said he had been fatally shot in Khayelitsha. Ghana facilitated the repatriation of his body and called for justice, with an independent autopsy also expected.
Between May 27 and September 4, 2026, Ghana evacuated 1,964 citizens from South Africa. The government disclosed that the exercise had cost approximately GH¢49.72 million.
Russia-Ukraine war: Ghanaians recruited to fight for Russia
The Russia-Ukraine war has emerged as another major source of Ghanaian fatalities abroad, with citizens reportedly recruited into Russia’s military after travelling to the country.
On August 17, 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that 62 Ghanaians had died in connection with the war, while 15 others remained missing.
The minister made the disclosure after bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Ghana had raised concerns about the recruitment of its citizens and sought cooperation to stop illegal enlistment.
The government has said some young Ghanaians were lured to Russia with promises of employment and other opportunities before finding themselves involved in the conflict.
A separate figure emerged in October 2026 when Ukraine’s I Want to Live project reported that its compiled list identified 85 Ghanaians killed while fighting for Russia.
The 85 deaths reported by the Ukrainian project are separate from the 62 disclosed by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister. They should not be added together or treated as a single government-confirmed figure, as the sources may use different reporting periods and verification methods.
The Ghanaian government has also reported missing citizens and prisoners of war, leaving families awaiting information about their relatives.
The challenge of protecting Ghanaians abroad
The cases raise questions about the support available to Ghanaians and their families when citizens die or encounter danger overseas.
Families may have to deal with foreign police, courts and medical authorities, often while trying to establish the circumstances of a death, arrange post-mortem examinations and repatriate remains.
Ghana’s diplomatic missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have important roles in providing information, facilitating contact with local authorities and assisting families through legal and repatriation processes.
The cases also highlight the need for stronger public education about overseas recruitment. Prospective migrants should verify employment offers and travel arrangements, particularly where recruiters make promises that appear unusually attractive or require applicants to sign unclear contracts.
The Russia-Ukraine cases have brought this concern into sharp focus, while the Burkina Faso attack highlights the security risks facing traders operating in areas affected by extremist violence.
A more coordinated system for registering Ghanaians abroad, issuing emergency alerts and monitoring reported incidents could also strengthen the country’s response when citizens encounter danger.
A growing concern
From a teenager killed on his way to school in New York to traders caught in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso and young Ghanaians reportedly drawn into a foreign war, the cases examined in this report reveal the different risks confronting citizens overseas.
Some incidents have resulted in criminal charges and convictions. Others remain under investigation, while the circumstances surrounding certain deaths are still unresolved.
The cases reviewed here are not an exhaustive national tally of Ghanaians who died abroad during 2025 and 2026. They are a compilation of reported incidents and official disclosures that illustrate the scale and variety of the challenges.
Javits Frimpong’s death is the latest reminder of the human cost. For the families affected, the need for answers, justice and support continues long after the headlines fade.
