The Ghanaian government has announced plans to cover the full travel expenses of Madam Adu Gyamfi, the mother of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, to enable her to travel to the United States and attend her son’s funeral in the Bronx, New York.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following discussions with the bereaved mother the previous day. He disclosed that officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been assigned to assist her with the visa application process.
“The Mahama Administration will take care of the full cost of Madam Adu Gyamfi’s travels and also stands ready to contribute towards a dignifying funeral,” Ablakwa stated.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed that US President Donald Trump has agreed to facilitate the immediate issuance of a visa for Javits’ mother following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
In a post on X, Mamdani expressed sympathy for the grieving mother, stressing that she deserved the opportunity to say her final goodbye to her son in person.
“The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away. Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person,” the mayor wrote.
Ablakwa welcomed the development and expressed appreciation to both President Trump and Mayor Mamdani for their intervention, affectionately referring to the New York mayor as “our own Kwame Mamdani”.
Javits moved from Ghana to the United States approximately a year before his death to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong, in New York.
The 15-year-old was shot while walking to school in the Bronx on October 29, 2026. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.
His tragic death has triggered widespread grief in both Ghana and the United States, with calls for justice continuing to grow.
Following the incident, Javits’ father alleged that his son had been bullied by two classmates, who were reportedly suspended after the matter was brought to the attention of school authorities.
However, police have not publicly confirmed any connection between the alleged bullying and the fatal shooting. No arrests had been announced at the time of reporting.
Minister Ablakwa has assured the bereaved family that the Ghanaian government will continue engaging with relevant US authorities and support efforts to ensure that those responsible for Javits’ death are brought to justice.
