The fatal death of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong in New York has brought attention to three other Ghanaian nationals who lost their lives in violent circumstances across the United States earlier in 2026. Javits died on October 29, 2026, after sustaining an abdominal injury during an attack while walking to school in the Bronx. He had moved from Ghana to the US roughly a year earlier to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong, and continue his education.
The first Ghanaian to lose their life in the US in 2026 was Akpene Tetteh, a 37-year-old PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She died on February 12, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. A juvenile suspect, Naasir Clark, was subsequently arrested and indicted in connection with her death. Akpene's death marked the beginning of a series of tragic incidents that would claim the lives of other Ghanaians in the US.
Just months later, on May 31, 2026, Lartey Solomon, a 33-year-old registered nurse and health content creator, was killed in downtown Oakland, California, during what was reported as a robbery. A suspect named Shacory Carnell Daniels was later arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Solomon's death highlighted the vulnerability of Ghanaians living in the US.
On September 19, 2026, Dr Kofi Akamani, a 48-year-old Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, was killed in Jackson County, Illinois. His wife, Betty Akamani, was arrested and charged in connection with his death. She entered a not guilty plea, with her jury trial set for November 16, 2026. Dr Akamani's death was a shock to the academic community.
Following Javits' death, Ghanaians in the US organised a candlelight vigil in his honour, and several public figures called for justice on behalf of his family. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered condolences to Javits' family and outlined support for the affected community, including mobile trauma assistance to the neighbourhood.
The deaths of these four individuals, spanning different states and circumstances, have stirred deep concern within Ghana's diaspora community in the United States. The incidents have raised questions about the safety and security of Ghanaians living in the US. The community is still reeling from the shock of these tragic events.
Javits' father disclosed that two students had previously been suspended over alleged bullying involving his son, though investigators have not formally linked the bullying to the fatal attack. As of this report, Police were still searching for three teenage suspects, with no arrests made. The search for justice continues for Javits and the other victims.
Key points
- Four Ghanaians were killed in separate incidents in the US in 2026.
- The victims included a PhD student, a registered nurse, a university professor, and a teenager.
- The incidents have sparked concern within Ghana's diaspora community in the US.
