Ghanaian community leaders in Toronto urged to step up as gun violence claims young lives

The growing number of young people losing their lives to gun violence in parts of Canada has prompted renewed calls for Ghanaian parents and community leaders to take a more active role in protecting the next generation.

The appeal, directed at parents, traditional authorities and community associations in Toronto, comes amid grief over the reported killings of young people, including Javits Frimpong in New York, 18-year-old Malik Abass in Toronto and, most recently, Brandon Blake in Etobicoke.

For Kwei Armah, a member of the Ghanaian community, the deaths should serve as a wake-up call to families and leaders who may not be paying enough attention to the challenges confronting young people growing up abroad.

In an emotional appeal, he urged parents to look beyond providing their children with material needs and become more involved in their everyday lives.

“Dear parents and leaders of our Ghanaian community, please wake up and take your children's and siblings' security seriously as the devil is at work!” he said.

He believes parents must make time to understand their children's experiences, friendships, difficulties and concerns, rather than assume that providing food, clothing and education is enough to secure their future.

“Please engage your children in more conversations as to how you can raise them well, train them well and educate them well by paying more attention to their needs than attending funerals, parties and barbecues,” he appealed.

His comments reflect growing concern about the vulnerability of some young people in immigrant communities, where parents may be balancing demanding work schedules, family responsibilities and the challenges of raising children in a different social environment.

For many Ghanaian families who moved to Canada in search of better opportunities, securing a brighter future for their children remains a central part of the migration dream.

But the recent deaths have brought a painful reminder that access to education, employment and other opportunities cannot guarantee a future if young people are exposed to violence and other dangers.

The latest concern follows the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Brandon Blake of Barrie near Martin Grove Road and Finch Avenue West in Toronto.

According to a Toronto Police Service news release published on Wednesday, November 11, officers responded to reports of gunshots at about 12:56 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10.

Officers found Blake suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said two suspects fled before officers arrived.

Investigators have identified 19-year-old Joseph Kunene of Toronto as a suspect wanted for first-degree murder. Police have released his photograph and described him as armed and dangerous.

A second suspect, described as a white male wearing black clothing, a hood and a face mask, remains unidentified.

The killing was recorded as Toronto's 34th homicide of 2026, according to the police release.

The deaths of Blake and Abass, alongside the reported killing of Frimpong in New York, have intensified concerns among sections of the Ghanaian community about the safety of young people.

Although the circumstances surrounding the separate incidents remain subject to police investigations, the tragedies have prompted questions about how families and community institutions can better support young people and help prevent violence.

Mr Armah believes the responsibility for protecting young people should not rest with parents alone.

He is urging chiefs, religious leaders, community associations and other influential members of the Ghanaian diaspora to make youth welfare a consistent priority.

He argues that community engagement should go beyond organising social gatherings and coming together to mourn after a tragedy.

“Let our future leaders live. Brood over them, let them go to school and take advantage of the wonderful career opportunities that abound in this country,” he said.

His appeal is for more deliberate conversations, mentorship and guidance to help young people navigate the pressures and risks they encounter.

For Ghanaian community leaders, this could mean creating more opportunities for young people to speak openly about their experiences, connecting them with trusted mentors and strengthening support systems for families.

The challenge is to ensure that youth safety becomes a shared responsibility rather than an issue that receives attention only when another life is lost.

The Ghanaian community in Canada has worked over the years to preserve its cultural identity, support families and create opportunities for the next generation.

Mr Armah's message is that these efforts must also place greater emphasis on the safety, wellbeing and upbringing of young people.

His appeal is simple: parents must be present in their children's lives, community leaders must take a more active interest in their welfare, and families must act before another tragedy strikes.