Gov’t to fund travel costs for mother of slain teenager to attend son’s funeral in New York

The Government of Ghana will cover the full travel costs of Madam Doris Adu Gyamfi, the mother of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, to enable her to travel to New York to pay her final respects to her son.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision in a post on X on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following the intervention of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and US President Donald Trump in securing a visa for the bereaved mother.

Mr Ablakwa welcomed the intervention, saying Ghana appreciated the efforts of the two leaders.

"This is most appreciated, @NYCMayor. The Government of Ghana welcomes your intervention and President Trump's timely decision. We have always known we can count on our own Kwame Mamdani," he wrote.

The Minister said he had spoken with Madam Gyamfi on Friday and assigned officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist her with the visa application process.

He described her grief as unimaginable and said the government considered it important for her to be present to pay her last respects to her son.

The Mahama administration, he added, would also contribute towards a dignified funeral for Javits.

"We resolve to continue to work together in securing justice for Javits," Mr Ablakwa stated.

Javits, a 15-year-old Ghanaian student, was shot dead in the Bronx on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while on his way to school.

He had moved from Ghana to the United States about a year earlier to join his father, Thomas Frimpong.

His father has said he suspects the shooting may be linked to bullying his son allegedly experienced at school. Police have not publicly established a motive for the killing.

The announcement of the government's support follows Mayor Mamdani's disclosure that President Trump had agreed, after a telephone conversation, to facilitate an immediate visa for Madam Gyamfi.

The killing has drawn attention in Ghana and the United States, with calls for a thorough investigation and justice for the teenager.

Madam Gyamfi is expected to travel to New York in the coming days. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and no arrests have been announced.