Ghana News

Full story: How Ghanaian Student in Latvia Died at Hands of Alleged Racist Attackers

Published

4 months ago

December 19, 2025

The reported death of a Ghanaian student in Latvia has gripped Ghana, igniting widespread anger, grief and urgent calls for justice.

The call for justice follows disturbing allegations of racial abuse and possible foul play circulating online.

The student, identified in multiple accounts as Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia, also referred to in earlier reports as Nana Adjei, arrived in Latvia in July 2024 to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.

What was meant to be a promising academic journey abroad has now become the centre of a deeply troubling international case.

Early Warnings From Abroad

According to accounts shared by family members and amplified on social media, the student began reporting incidents of racial harassment just months after settling into school life. He allegedly told his mother that some classmates subjected him to repeated abuse because of his race.

Concerned but hopeful the situation would stabilise, his mother reportedly advised him to complete his first-year examinations and return to Ghana afterwards. That plan, the family says, never materialised.

A Chilling Turn of Events

In the widely shared narration that has shocked Ghanaians, the student is said to have encountered individuals who appeared sympathetic to his ordeal and offered friendship. These same individuals allegedly visited him at his residence days later.

Soon after, the student reportedly became seriously unwell after drinking a beverage allegedly handed to him by the friends who visited him. He sought help and eventually received medical care. Family sources claim medical documentation indicated exposure to an unknown substance, probably a poisonous substance. He survived that episode and was discharged.

Alarmed by what she described as escalating danger, his mother is said to have immediately booked a flight for him to leave Latvia. That decision would mark the last time the family heard directly from him.

Death Ruled a Suicide, Family Disputes Narrative

Days later, Latvian authorities informed the family that the student had died, with officials reportedly classifying the case as a suicide. The family has strongly disputed that conclusion, insisting that key questions remain unanswered.

They allege that:

Personal belongings, including the student’s phone, were not released to them
Surveillance footage that might clarify events was unavailable
A full autopsy report was not promptly shared

Determined to seek clarity, relatives travelled to Latvia accompanied by a representative of the Ghanaian Embassy in Berlin. Their efforts, they say, have so far yielded more questions than answers.

Government of Ghana Responds

The controversy and public pressure prompted swift intervention from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that the government is actively probing the case following circulation of the disturbing video and allegations.

“The government is committed to ensuring that no Ghanaian is harmed anywhere in the world without accountability,” Ablakwa stated, adding that Ghana has activated diplomatic channels to engage Latvian authorities and verify the facts independently.

He assured the public that Ghana would pursue justice wherever evidence points, stressing the country’s responsibility to protect its citizens abroad “for God and Country.”

A Nation Watching Closely

The case has resonated deeply across Ghana, particularly among parents, students and diaspora communities. It has reignited broader concerns about the safety of African students overseas, racial discrimination in foreign institutions, and the limits of protection available when tragedy strikes far from home.

For many Ghanaians, this is no longer just one family’s loss—it is a test of international accountability and the value placed on Black lives abroad.

As of now, Latvian authorities have not released a detailed public account beyond the initial classification of the death. Ghanaian officials say engagements are ongoing and have pledged to keep the nation informed.

This is a developing story. Further updates will be published as official investigations progress and more facts emerge.

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Ghana News

US Requires Ghanaian Visa Applicants to Make All Social Media Profiles ‘Public’ for Vetting

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

Accra, Ghana – Ghanaians applying for various categories of US visas must now make all their social media accounts public, the United States Embassy has announced in a new requirement that is being rolled out globally.

The policy, which took effect immediately, affects a wide range of non-immigrant visas including A-3, C-3, G-5, H-3, H-4 (dependents), K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas. Applicants are required to adjust the privacy settings of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and others to “public” to allow US consular officers to review their online activity as part of the security and admissibility vetting process.

The move is designed to help establish the applicant’s true identity, intentions, and potential security risks before granting entry into the United States. While the directive was first highlighted by the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, it is now being implemented at US embassies and consulates worldwide, including in Ghana.

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Implications for Ghanaian Applicants

For many Ghanaians seeking to visit, study, work, or join family members in America, the new rule adds another layer of scrutiny to the already rigorous US visa application process.

Privacy-conscious applicants may need to temporarily adjust or archive private content before submitting their applications.

US visa officials will now have broader access to posts, comments, photos, friends lists, and online associations.

This development comes amid heightened global security concerns and reflects the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on stricter immigration vetting. Ghanaian travellers are advised to review their social media presence carefully and ensure consistency between their online profiles and visa application details to avoid delays or refusals.

Ghana News

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

13 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

We have curated the most relevant stories in Ghana today to keep you informed.

Bawumia Claims Ghana’s Democracy Under Attack and Free Speech Sacrificed Under Mahama Govt
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Read the full story here

Akonta Mining: Court Gives Wontumi Final Chance to File Witness Statement
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BOST to Lose GH¢40m from Suspended Fuel Margins – Deputy MD
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) stands to lose nearly GH¢40 million in April alone due to the government’s suspension of the BOST margin on diesel. Deputy Managing Director Nat Salifu Acheampong warned that the move threatens critical infrastructure projects, including the upgrade of the Accra-Akosombo pipeline from 6 inches to 12 inches. While the margin on petrol remains, he appealed to Parliament to restore the diesel margin once the current fuel price relief measures end, stressing that the funds support national strategic fuel reserves.
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Power is Transient – Otumfuo Warns Politicians to Stay Out of Chieftaincy Matters
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has cautioned politicians to refrain from interfering in chieftaincy affairs, reminding them that power is transient. The warning, delivered at the Asanteman Council meeting, underscores the Asantehene’s firm stance on preserving the independence and integrity of traditional institutions from political influence.
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‘You Are All Thieves!’ – Woman Slams Methodist Pastors and Elders Over Tithe Policy
A female member of the Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church in Sunyani caused a stir when she publicly described the pastor and elders as “thieves” during a church service. She criticised an alleged policy tying welfare support (especially during funerals) to tithe payment, arguing it was unfair and discouraging membership. The dramatic confrontation, which has gone viral, has sparked widespread debate on church finances and member support.
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Explainer: Why Asantehene Destooled Kyeame Kofi Nti
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has destooled his linguist (Kyeame) Kofi Nti following deliberations by the Asanteman Council. The removal was based on serious allegations including doubts over his royal lineage, improper handling and failure to report invocations of the sacred Otumfuo Ntam Kɛseɛ oath, and interference in chieftaincy processes. The decision highlights the high standards of accountability expected in Asante traditional offices.
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GES Announces Instalment Plan to Clear Teachers’ Salary Arrears
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revealed that the government will pay outstanding salary arrears to newly recruited teachers under the 2024 financial clearance in instalments from May to August 2026. Four months’ arrears will be disbursed monthly to ensure accuracy and transparency. The move brings relief to teachers whose payments were delayed after reporting to post.
Read the full story here