Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, has conveyed the government’s deepest sympathies to the family of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, the Ghanaian‑British academic who passed away in London in August.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, September 4, 2026, Ablakwa said he spoke by telephone with Arday’s mother to express sympathy over the tragic loss of her son.

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According to him, he informed her that President John Mahama “commiserates with her family at this exceedingly difficult time” and has personally signed a letter of condolence, which is being delivered by Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

“Yesterday, I spoke on phone to Mrs Gifty Arday to convey deepest condolences on the tragic loss of her son, Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday.

"I informed Mrs Arday that President John Mahama commiserates with her family at this exceedingly difficult time and has personally signed a letter of condolence which is being delivered by our High Commissioner to the UK," he wrote.

He added, “Prof Arday was a great source of pride and inspiration to Ghanaians in his ancestral home, and many across the world. This is indeed our collective and terribly painful loss; we shall keep his family, students and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”

The minister also assured Arday that Ghana would be represented at the funeral to pay its respects.

“As I assured Mrs Arday in our solemn telephone conversation, Ghana will be present at his funeral to pay our respects.

"...May Prof Arday’s legacy help create a fairer, loving and just world,” the statement concluded.

Arday, 41, was found dead at an address in Battersea, south London, on August 14, 2026.

He had resigned days earlier as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge, a post he held after becoming the university’s youngest Black professor in 2023.

See statement below.

Yesterday, I spoke on phone to Mrs. Gifty Arday to convey deepest condolences on the tragic loss of her son, Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday.

I informed Mrs. Arday that President John Mahama commiserates with her family at this exceedingly difficult time and has personally… pic.twitter.com/bgS1uitfB0

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) September 4, 2026