What Mahama Government Has Promised Javits Frimpong’s Mother Ahead of Her Son’s Funeral in New York

The Government of Ghana has agreed to pay all travel expenses for Doris Adu Gyamfi, the mother of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, to enable her to travel to New York and attend her son’s funeral following his fatal shooting in the United States.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the government’s decision on Saturday, October 31, 2026, after New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and US President Donald Trump intervened to facilitate a visa for the grieving mother.

Madam Gyamfi had faced the possibility of missing her son’s funeral due to challenges in obtaining permission to travel to the United States.

Mayor Mamdani subsequently revealed that President Trump had agreed to issue her a visa immediately after the two leaders held a telephone conversation.

In a statement shared on X, the mayor expressed sympathy for the family, describing the killing of the teenager as a tragedy no parent should have to experience.

He emphasised the importance of allowing Javits’ mother to travel to New York to pay her final respects.

Welcoming the intervention, Ablakwa commended both leaders for their efforts, particularly Mayor Mamdani, whom he described affectionately as Ghana’s own Kwame Mamdani.

The minister disclosed that he had spoken with Madam Gyamfi on Friday and directed officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide the necessary assistance with her visa application.

He further confirmed that the Mahama administration would bear the full cost of her journey to the United States.

The government has also expressed its willingness to support arrangements for a befitting funeral for the deceased teenager.

Ablakwa assured the family that the government remained committed to working with relevant American authorities to ensure justice for Javits.

The 15-year-old was shot dead on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while walking to school in the Bronx, New York.

He reportedly relocated from Ghana to the United States about a year ago to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong.

His death has triggered widespread sorrow in Ghana and the United States, alongside concerns about reports that he had allegedly been bullied at school before the shooting.

His father has alleged that two students had subjected Javits to bullying and were recently suspended after the school authorities were notified of the situation.

However, police have not publicly established any link between the alleged bullying and the teenager’s killing.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with no arrests reported in the latest available accounts.

The Ghanaian government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the bereaved family and cooperating with US authorities to ensure that those responsible for the teenager’s death are brought to justice.

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Government-to-fly-mother-of-slain-Ghanaian-teenager-to-New-York-for-son-s-funeral-2059316

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