Foreign Affairs Minister’s Mission in Latvia for Ghanaian Student’s Justice

Riga: Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has arrived in Latvia for a two-day official visit as part of Ghana's efforts to establish the truth surrounding the death of Ghanaian student Nana Agyei Ahyia. Mr. Ablakwa, in a social media post, said the visit was prompted by the 'distressing and unclear circumstances' under which the student died while studying at Riga Technical University. The incident has attracted public concern in Ghana and on social media. According to Ghana News Agency, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Baiba Braže, had accorded Mr. Ablakwa a warm reception and engaged in productive bilateral discussions, during which firm assurances were given that the Latvian authorities would fully cooperate with Ghana in the pursuit of truth and justice. The Foreign Minister is leading a six-member delegation comprising senior directors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a forensic expert, and a pathologist to support investigations into the case. He explained that two family mem bers of the deceased, who were invited to join the delegation, were unable to travel with the team on Saturday night due to visa processing delays. Mr. Ablakwa said he had since been informed that the visas had been issued and that the family members were scheduled to travel later on Monday to join the delegation in Latvia on Tuesday morning. He clarified that all family members and experts accompanying the delegation were fully funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'There has been no case of extortion or the issuance of fake tickets as has been alleged without any evidentiary basis whatsoever,' the Minister said. The delegation, he noted, was expected to continue engagements with Latvian authorities on Tuesday, including meetings with the ministries responsible for the interior and education, as well as investigators handling the case. The visit follows a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissing what it described as false and misleading claims circulating on social media over Ghana's h andling of the case. The Ministry had rejected allegations that the family was asked to make payments to facilitate travel, that government officials travelled to Latvia without family representation, and that a fake airline ticket was issued to the deceased's mother. It explained that it had remained in constant engagement with the family and that the Government of Ghana was fully bearing the cost of travel arrangements for nominated family members and experts. The Ministry attributed earlier delays in travel to visa processing challenges, noting that required documentation had not been fully presented at the initial stage. Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians abroad, stressing that the government remained focused and resolute in ensuring justice for Nana Agyei Ahyia.