The Government of Ghana has engaged prominent American civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to help pursue justice for Ghanaians who have been killed in the United States in recent months.

In an update on the recent killings on November 10, 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said approval had been granted to Ghana’s Permanent Mission in New York to engage Crump’s services at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer.

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According to him, the move will support Ghana’s efforts to secure justice for the victims and their families.

“Approval has been granted to Ghana’s Permanent Mission in New York to engage the services of celebrated US civil rights lawyer, Ben Crump, at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, to assist Ghana in securing justice for all Ghanaians killed in the US in recent months,” he said on Facebook.

Ablakwa said the government remained committed to protecting the rights and dignity of Ghanaians living abroad.

“Ghana will go to every length to secure justice and safeguard the dignity of our dear nationals abroad,” he said.

The minister also expressed gratitude to Crump for his willingness to assist Ghana following a telephone discussion between them.

“The Foreign Minister is grateful to Ben Crump for the positive telephone discussion on this all-important matter,” the statement added.

The government also acknowledged the cooperation of US authorities in the efforts to secure justice for the victims.

“We equally acknowledge the cooperation and commitment of US authorities in our collective quest for justice,” the statement said.

The government’s decision follows growing concerns over the deaths of several Ghanaians in the United States, including 15-year-old Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, who was fatally shot in the Bronx, New York, on October 29, 2026.

Javits was reportedly on his way to school when he was chased and shot by three suspected teenagers. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has yet to announce any arrests in connection with the killing and is searching for three suspects believed to be between 16 and 18 years old.

The teenager’s family had earlier hired Crump to represent them in their pursuit of justice and accountability.

Several other Ghanaians have also died in violent incidents in the United States this year.

In February 2026, 37-year-old Ghanaian doctoral graduate Akpene Diamond Tetteh was shot dead in Savannah, Georgia, shortly after completing her PhD studies. A juvenile suspect was arrested and charged in connection with her death.

In May, 33-year-old Ghanaian registered nurse Lartey Solomon was fatally shot in downtown Oakland, California, in an incident prosecutors believe was linked to an attempted robbery. A suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

Dr Kofi Akamani, a 48-year-old Ghanaian academic and assistant professor at Southern Illinois University, was also shot and killed at his home in Murphysboro, Illinois, on September 19, 2026. His wife, Betty Akamani, was arrested and charged in connection with his death. She has pleaded not guilty.

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Another Ghanaian, 24-year-old Joseph Owusu, was found dead in the Bronx in early November, about two weeks after he was reported missing. He was a member of the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx, where he served as an organist.

The circumstances surrounding Owusu’s death had not been fully established at the time of the reports.



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