The death of Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia has raised fresh questions after the family of the 18-year-old Ghanaian student rejected official explanations from Latvian authorities. Officials in Latvia said Ahyia died after falling from a multi-storey building in Riga.
They described the incident as either a suicide or an accident. His family has firmly disputed that claim. Relatives say Ahyia showed no signs of suicidal behaviour. They insist the explanation does not match what they knew of him.
Days before his death, Ahyia sent a voice message to family members. In it, he claimed someone had poisoned him. The family says investigators failed to treat that message as a central lead. They argue that authorities closed the case too quickly. They also say officials did not fully explain how they ruled out foul play. Ahyia’s death has since sparked public concern in Ghana. Parents of students abroad and advocacy groups have called for greater transparency.
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After authorities returned Ahyia’s body to Ghana, the family commissioned an independent autopsy. They also petitioned the government to intervene. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the government is engaging Latvian officials. He described the case as “heart-wrenching” and pledged continued diplomatic follow-up.
In a statement, the family welcomed the government’s involvement. They said it gave them “hope at a time of immense sorrow.” The family stated that delays had worsened their grief.
His death has renewed debate about protections for African students abroad. Analysts say families often struggle to navigate foreign legal systems during crises. They warn that poor communication fuels mistrust. Clear timelines and open access to findings, they say, are essential. Latvian authorities have not publicly addressed the poisoning claim. No findings have been released so far.
For Ahyia’s family, the demand remains simple. They want a full explanation of how their son died and confirmation that investigators examined every credible lead.
