Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa engages Ben Crump for Ghanaians killed in US

The government of Ghana, under President John Mahama, has officially engaged renowned American civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to seek justice for Ghanaian nationals who have died under suspicious or violent circumstances in the United States. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the initiative on November 10, 2026, noting that the partnership aims to provide expert legal representation for families seeking accountability. Crucially, the Minister emphasized that Mr. Crump’s legal services are being provided at no cost to the Ghanaian state or its taxpayers.

The decision to enlist Mr. Crump follows a series of high-profile deaths that have caused significant concern within the Ghanaian community at home and abroad. Among the cases being prioritized is that of 15-year-old Javits Badu-Nkansah Frimpong, who was tragically shot and killed in the Bronx, New York, while walking to school. Other cases include the death of 24-year-old Joseph Owusu, whose body was discovered in a duffel bag in Brooklyn, as well as the deaths of Akpene Diamond Tetteh and Dr. Kofi Akamani. By securing the services of a lawyer known for handling landmark civil rights cases, the government intends to ensure these victims' families receive the same level of advocacy as prominent American civil rights cases.

Minister Ablakwa stated that while the legal engagement was initially focused on the Frimpong family, the government successfully negotiated for Mr. Crump to extend his expertise to other outstanding cases involving Ghanaian citizens. This move reflects the Mahama administration's broader commitment to protecting the welfare of Ghanaians in the diaspora. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to work closely with the legal team to monitor the progress of these investigations and pursue all available legal avenues for justice and compensation for the bereaved families.