Lowell fire victim won't return to homeland for burial

Lowell, MA, USA -- He came from Ghana six years ago, but his search for a better life ended alone on Aug. 7 in a smoky fire in Centralville.

His friends have tried to raise money to send him back to his native Ghana in Africa, but their efforts failed.

There were no donations, said his fellow ex-patriate Albert Donkoh.

"I'm right now confused," he said yesterday. "I was expecting the donations would come, so I could take my (friend) home."

Instead, he was buried yesterday at West Lawn Cemetery on Plain Street, Donkoh said.

Agyapong's mother is still in Ghana, but his 5-month-old daughter, Astaria, lives in Lowell with her mother, Linda Young.

Donkoh is still trying to raise money for funeral expenses.

Donations can be sent to the Isaac Agyapong Fund at Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, P.O. Box 1238, Lowell, MA 01853.