From High School Student to Professor: List of Ghanaians brutally murdered in the US in 2026

For many Ghanaians, the United States represents a land of opportunity, a place where they can pursue dreams, make fortunes, and secure better futures for themselves and their families.

The country remains one of the most attractive destinations for Ghanaian migrants, with an estimated 223,000 Ghana-born immigrants living there in 2024, according to the Migration Policy Institute's analysis of US Census Bureau data.

Driven by the pursuit of better living conditions, education, employment and economic opportunities, thousands of Ghanaians have travelled across the Atlantic in search of what is popularly described as the American Dream.

For some, however, that dream has ended in unimaginable tragedy. Rather than finding the greener pastures they had hoped for, they have met violent and brutal deaths in the very country they believed would offer them a better life.

In 2026, a number of Ghanaians have been murdered in separate incidents across the United States, leaving families devastated, communities in mourning and a diaspora grappling with painful questions about the safety of its members.

From young people with promising futures to professionals who had worked hard to build better lives, their stories represent dreams cut short and lives brutally taken. For these victims, the country they travelled to in search of greener pastures became their final resting place.

1. Akpene Diamond Tetteh – February 2026, Savannah, Georgia



The first murder of a Ghanaian in the US in 2026 was that of Akpene Diamond Tetteh, a 37-year-old Ghanaian doctoral graduate, who was shot dead in Savannah, Georgia, on February 12, 2026.

Tetteh was pursuing a PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she was affiliated with the School of Public Health.

Ghanaian PhD student shot dead in US

Tetteh was reportedly shot in broad daylight in the 1800 block of Northgate Drive. Police officers responding to reports of gunfire at about 2:30 p.m. found her suffering from gunshot wounds. She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. Her death came just weeks after she had completed her doctoral studies, cutting short what appeared to be a promising academic and professional future.

A juvenile suspect, identified as Naasir Clark, was arrested near the scene and charged in connection with the killing. A Chatham County grand jury subsequently indicted him on a murder charge in May 2026. The family has indicated that two 15-year-old juveniles were involved in the shooting, with one suspect arrested and the second still at large, according to reports in November.

2. Lartey Solomon – May 2026, Oakland, California



The second murder for the year was that of Lartey Solomon, a 33-year-old Ghanaian registered nurse, who was fatally shot in downtown Oakland, California, on May 31, 2026, in an incident prosecutors believe was connected to an attempted robbery.

Solomon was not only a healthcare professional but also a health content creator who used social media to educate people about medical issues. He was known to his online followers as "Nurse Solomon".

According to reports, Solomon was walking towards his vehicle near the intersection of 14th and Harrison streets in downtown Oakland when he was approached by a suspected robber. Prosecutors allege that he was shot during an attempted robbery. Police officers responding to reports of a shooting shortly after 2:45 a.m. found him with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital but later died. His family said he had been out with a friend before the incident.

A suspect, identified as 39-year-old Shacory Carnell Daniels, was arrested on June 4 in Menlo Park and charged with murder and other firearm-related offences. Prosecutors allege that Daniels shot Solomon during the attempted robbery. Solomon's death left behind a young daughter and relatives in both Ghana and the United States.

Born and raised in Ghana, Solomon moved to the United States, where he pursued his education and nursing career. He studied at Merritt College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. He subsequently worked at Alameda Health Care and Kindred Hospital in San Leandro, dedicating his professional life to caring for patients.

3. Dr Kofi Akamani – September 19, 2026, Jackson County, Illinois



The late Dr Akamani (L) with his family

Then came the murder of Dr Kofi Akamani, a 48-year-old Ghanaian-born academic and Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, who was shot and killed on September 19, 2026, at his home in rural Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois. His death sent shockwaves through the university community and the international forestry research community, where he was respected for his academic contributions.

Akamani served in the university's Department of Forestry as an Assistant Professor of Forest Recreation and Conservation Social Science. His research focused on the human dimensions of natural resource management, with particular interest in how communities interact with and benefit from natural resources. He was also a Coordinating Lead Author of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations' (IUFRO) Global Forest Expert Panel study, Forests as Pillars of Social and Economic Resilience: A Global Assessment Report, published in June 2025.

His wife, Betty Akamani, was arrested and charged in connection with his death. Prosecutors alleged that she was responsible for the killing. Court proceedings revealed that the couple had been separated for approximately two years and were in the process of divorcing. Authorities also indicated that the incident occurred after Dr Akamani had spent Saturday with his two daughters. His wife was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of endangering the life of a child.

Betty Akamani pleaded not guilty to all the charges when she appeared in court on October 6, 2026. A jury trial was scheduled for November 16. Meanwhile, colleagues and students at Southern Illinois University gathered to honour the late academic at a vigil held on September 22. The SIU Foundation also announced a memorial fund in his name to support students pursuing studies in forestry and natural resources, ensuring that his contribution to education and research would continue beyond his death.

4. Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong – October 2026, Bronx, New York

In October, the death of 15-year-old Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong added to the list of Ghanaians who have lost their lives to violent incidents in the United States in 2026.

The Ghanaian teenager was fatally shot in the Bronx, New York, on October 29, 2026, while reportedly making his way to school. His killing sparked grief among Ghanaians in the United States and renewed concerns about the safety of young Ghanaian immigrants.

Reports indicate that Frimpong was chased before being shot near Crotona Park in the Bronx. He was subsequently taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries. The circumstances surrounding the attack have raised concerns, particularly following reports that he had experienced racial bullying at school before his death.

His father, who described him as a quiet and clever boy, said he had recently been informed by the school authorities that two students had been suspended for harassing his son. However, police had not established whether the reported bullying was connected to the fatal shooting.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed the teenager being chased before the shooting, while investigators searched for three teenage boys in connection with the incident.

5. Joseph Owusu – November 3, 2026, Bronx, New York



Just days after the gruesome murder of Frimpong, the Ghanaian community in New York was again plunged into mourning following the discovery of the body of 24-year-old Joseph Owusu at a dumpsite in the Bronx, approximately two weeks after he was reported missing.

The discovery, which was reported on November 3, 2026, brought an end to the search for the young Ghanaian, whose disappearance had caused concern among relatives and members of his community.

Owusu was a member of the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx, where he served as an organist. He was remembered by members of the congregation for his dedication to music, commitment to church activities and warm personality. His involvement in the church made him a familiar face among worshippers, many of whom have since expressed grief over his death.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his disappearance, how he died and how his body ended up at the location had not been fully established by authorities.

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