Story: Nana Sifa Twum, London
Ghana has again lost another enterprising teenager through the disturbing knife crime culture in the United Kingdom capital, London.
Godwin Lawson, 17 was the second talented young footballer to be murdered in three shocking days of violence in the capital. He was also the fifth teenager to be murdered in London this year.
The number of Ghanaian teenager victims in the London knife crime upsurge over the last four years has risen to seven.
Godwin and two of his friends aged 18 and 20 were attacked by at least four other youths in Amhurst Park, Hackney, in the early hours of Saturday.
The two friends were later taken to hospital suffering from stab wounds. One was still in a serious condition in hospital last night. According to a police spokesman the killers were lying in wait for them."
The soccer starlet who feared the activities of the gang had left home to escape the gang’s violence was stabbed in the chest to death when he returned to visit his family from Oxford where he had been engaged in football studies.
The talented footballer who was a member of the Oxford United's football academy also dreamed of playing for Manchester United. He fell victim to a vicious turf war raging in Hackney, East London and was stabbed in the chest and died at the scene
“Godwin got a scholarship with Oxford United last year. He got all his GCSEs. He was a good boy and none of us can believe this has happened.” His father, Calvin Lawson, 40, said.
Mr. Lawson, who works in a fashion industry, told how his son had returned to the family home in Enfield hours before he was killed. He said the family is “in complete shock” and called on witnesses to come forward.
Mr. Lawson said: “Godwin was such a good person. All of us are devastated. We're not coping at all.
“I have no idea what he was doing in Hackney and don't know why anyone would want to kill my son.”
Last night his weeping mother Yvonne said: "Everything I lived for has just been robbed from me in one second.
“Godwin had the whole world at his feet. He had so much talent and wanted to be a professional with Manchester United. He told me, Mummy I'm going to make it'.” She lamented.
Detective Chief Inspector John Macdonald said: “The suspects, believed to be at least four males, made off up Durley Road. We need to speak to anyone who saw what happened.”
Police investigations continue but no arrests have been made yet