Javits Frimpong: Ghana will not rest until justice is done – Ablakwa
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has pledged that Ghana will continue pursuing justice over the death of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, assuring the bereaved family that the government remains in close communication with US authorities as investigations continue.
Javits Frimpong, 15, was fatally shot while reportedly walking to school in the Claremont section of the Bronx, New York, on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the teenager was shot once in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. near East 171st Street and Crotona Place.
He was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital by responding police officers but later died from his injuries.
Javits, who moved from Ghana to the United States about a year ago to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong, was a student at Dreamyard Preparatory School.
His father told the media that he had recently received complaints about two students allegedly bullying his son, resulting in their suspension. He said Javits had previously complained about being repeatedly bullied during lunchtime.
The allegations have since become part of the investigation, although police have not established that bullying was connected to the shooting.
As of November 2, investigators were still seeking three teenage suspects, and no arrests had been announced.
Mr. Ablakwa gave the assurance while announcing that the mother and cousin of the deceased teenager had secured US visas following expedited same-day processing by the US Embassy in Accra.
The Minister identified the relatives as Madam Doris Adu Gyamfi and her niece, who are expected to travel to the United States within hours.
He commended the US Embassy for facilitating the visa process and expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for what he described as their special intervention.
“I wish to commend the US Embassy in Accra for the super expedited same-day processing of the visa of the mother and cousin of Javits Frimpong yesterday,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa added; “We are grateful to President Trump and Mayor Kwame Mamdani for their special intervention.”
Beyond the travel arrangements, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that the government’s priority remained ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death received the necessary attention from the relevant authorities.
He disclosed that Ghana remained in close communication with US authorities regarding the progress of investigations.
“The Government of Ghana remains in close communication with US authorities on the status of investigations. We shall have no rest until justice is manifestly done,” he declared.
The Minister also used the development to reaffirm Ghana’s responsibility towards its citizens living and travelling abroad, promising that the Foreign Ministry and Ghanaian diplomatic missions would continue to pursue justice for compatriots wherever they found themselves.
“The Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic missions will continue to actively pursue justice for all our compatriots everywhere in the world, an attack on a Ghanaian anywhere in the world is an attack on all of us,” he stated.
In an emotional tribute to the family, Mr. Ablakwa expressed sympathy over the loss of the teenager, highlighting the pain of parents who lose a child under such distressing circumstances.
“No parent deserves to lose their 15-year old in these heart wrenching circumstances,” he said.
He added that the government would continue to remember the deceased’s parents and relatives in its thoughts and prayers.
“We shall continue to keep the parents of Javits Frimpong and his dear family in our thoughts and prayers,” the Minister said.
Mr. Ablakwa ended his statement with the words, “For God and Country,” reinforcing his pledge that Ghana would remain engaged as the family seeks answers and justice.
The government’s position signals its continued diplomatic involvement in the case, with the Foreign Ministry maintaining communication with US authorities while supporting the bereaved family.
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