Foreign Affairs Ministry denies demanding payment from family of deceased Ghanaian student in Latvia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has firmly denied allegations that it solicited or received any payment from the family of the late Ghanaian student, Nana Agyei Ahiya, who died in Latvia under disputed circumstances last year.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the Ministry addressed what it described as false claims circulating on social media, specifically refuting suggestions that officials demanded money to facilitate travel for the bereaved family to Latvia. It also dismissed reports that government officials travelled without a family representative and that a fraudulent airline ticket was issued to the deceased’s mother.

“At no time has the Ministry, or any government official acting on its behalf, demanded or received any form of payment from the family,” the statement clarified. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Government of Ghana is fully bearing the cost of all travel arrangements.”

The case concerns 18-year-old Nana Agyei Ahiya, who died in Riga, Latvia, in June 2025. Latvian authorities reported that he fell from a sixth-floor apartment, but the family has contested this finding, highlighting gaps in the investigation, including the absence of forensic reports and a review of CCTV footage. In August 2025, the family formally petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling for an independent and transparent probe.

In response, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that diplomatic channels had been activated to support the family’s quest for justice. A fact-finding team from Ghana’s Embassy in Germany, which oversees Latvia, visited Riga and submitted a preliminary report.

The Ministry also provided details on recent logistical challenges. Travel arrangements for two nominated family members were scheduled for January 31, 2026, but could not proceed because visas had not been issued by Latvian authorities. According to the Ministry, the delay resulted from the family members’ failure to present all required documents during their visa appointments.

The statement further explained that a document shared online as proof of a confirmed airline ticket was merely an itinerary generated to support the visa application. The mother of the deceased was reportedly informed that travel was impossible without a valid visa and her passport, which remained with the embassy.

Despite these communications, the Ministry noted that she later proceeded to the airport with bloggers, attempting to travel using the itinerary.

The Ministry warned that misinformation and public agitation were complicating efforts to secure the necessary visas and advance the case. “The deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation on a matter of this gravity are deeply regrettable and undermine the quest for justice,” the statement read.

It appealed to the public and media to allow due process to unfold and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the family and seeking clarity on the student’s death. Engagement with Latvian authorities continues, with the expectation that outstanding visas will soon be issued to enable the family to participate directly in ongoing processes.