Berlin mission diplomats smell foul play in death of Ghanaian student in Latvia - Ablakwa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has firmly rejected claims that the death of a Ghanaian engineering student in Latvia was a suicide.

According to him, there is evidence of foul play, indicating that the deceased was ‘subjected to inhumane treatment.

Family raise suspicion of foul play in death of 18-year-old Ghanaian student in Latvia

Ablakwa, speaking at an event, explained that Ghanaian diplomats dispatched from the country’s Berlin mission had assessed the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and reached a troubling conclusion, that it was not a suicide, as been purported.

“A couple of days ago, we issued a statement about a Ghanaian student who travelled to Latvia to study engineering, who was subjected to inhumane treatment and lost his life under very mysterious circumstances.

“I've read a report from our diplomats who arrived on the scene from our Berlin mission, and they are convinced that there was foul play and that it did not look like suicide,” he said.

Ablakwa said Ghana will not allow the matter to be ignored and will pursue justice to the end.

“We have served notice that we demand justice, we are not going to let that slide, and that nobody harms a Ghanaian life and gets away with it. Nobody,” he said.

The minister framed the issue as a core duty of leadership and public service, arguing that defending the lives and dignity of citizens abroad is not optional but fundamental.

“I believe I will be failing as foreign minister if I cannot stand up. It's the most basic, the most simple thing to do to just stand up for the lives of the people that you serve all over the world,” he indicated.

He further warned that any failure by Ghanaian authorities to vigorously defend citizens overseas sends a dangerous message.

Ablakwa concluded by emphasising that self-advocacy is essential on the global stage, insisting that respect for Ghanaian lives must be asserted, not assumed.

“If you cannot stand up for them, demand that their dignity be respected, then you have no business serving in this ministry as Minister for Foreign Affairs and if we do not stand up for our own and demonstrate that we value the lives of the people we serve, nobody will. Nobody will do that for us,” he concluded.

About the case:

Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia, an 18-year-old Ghanaian international student in Latvia, reportedly died in July 2025 under circumstances his family has described as mysterious and suspicious.

According to family spokesperson Sarah Nimli, the deceased was a first-year Electrical Engineering (Adaptronic) student at Riga Technical University in Latvia, having gained admission to the institution in July 2024.

Citing reasons behind their suspicions of foul play in Oduru Ahyia’s death, the family indicated that three days before his passing on June 1, 2025, Nana Agyei, who had been residing in an apartment on Baznīcas Street in Riga, reportedly sent a distressing voice note claiming he had been poisoned.

Foreign affairs ministry probes death of Ghanaian student in Latvia

He was later reported to have died on June 4, 2025, after authorities informed his family that he had fallen from the sixth floor of his apartment and succumbed to the injuries.

The family stated that efforts to contact the Latvian police proved unsuccessful, leading them to suspect a possible cover-up of the incident, especially as those allegedly involved are believed to be Latvian nationals.

MAG/EB

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