Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has called for a thorough and impartial probe into the death of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, including reports that he suffered racial bullying at school.
In a condolence message to the family, Mr Smith described the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death as deeply disturbing.
“In light of the reported experiences of racial bullying he endured at school, it is imperative that all relevant circumstances be examined carefully and impartially,” he stated.
Javits was fatally shot by unidentified assailants at about 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, in the Bronx, New York, while on his way to school.
The Ambassador said he trusted law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and ensure justice.“While we must allow the investigative process to establish the truth, we cannot ignore the urgent need to protect our children from bullying, racial discrimination, and violence,” he said.
He extended condolences to the teenager’s father, Thomas Frimpong, and the entire family, describing the death as a devastating loss.
“As a father, and in my capacity as Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, I can only begin to imagine the anguish, disbelief, and unbearable pain you are experiencing at this moment. No parent should ever have to endure the devastating experience of losing a child, particularly under such tragic and violent circumstances,” he said.
Mr Smith noted that Javits arrived in the United States barely a year ago, brought by his father in search of good education and a brighter future, making his death particularly heartbreaking. “The loss of a young life, full of promise, potential, and dreams for the future, is a tragedy that touches us all,” he stated.
He said Javits was not merely a son to his family but a young Ghanaian whose life and future mattered to the country. “His tragic passing is a painful reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of race, nationality, or background, can live, learn, and pursue their dreams in safety and dignity,” he added.
He assured the family that the Ghanaian Embassy shared in their grief and that they were not alone. The message was conveyed on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the government and people of Ghana, as well as the Ghanaian diplomatic community in the United States.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged government support to the family. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said he had spoken directly with Javits’ father and assured him of justice.
“We will pursue justice, and we’ll make sure that those who did this do not get away with it,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
The Ministry said Ghana’s Permanent Mission in New York had visited the family to express solidarity and convey condolences, and would work with US authorities and provide legal and consular assistance.
The government has urged the relevant authorities in the Bronx to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
