President Mahama demands urgent action on US gun violence following Javits Frimpong’s death
By: Marcella Mwinkoma Babing President John Dramani Mahama has called on the United States to take urgent steps to address rising gun violence in its society following the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, Javits Frimpong, in New York. The President described the teenager’s death as particularly heartbreaking, considering his young age and the fact […]
President John Dramani Mahama has urged the United States to take immediate action to tackle the surge in gun violence after the tragic shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, Javits Frimpong, in New York. Mahama mourned the young boy's death, emphasizing its heartbreaking nature due to the teenager's precocious age and short time spent in the United States, having only arrived a year prior for his father's sake.
During a meeting with Ghana's Presidential Press Corps upon his return to Ghana, Mahama acknowledged that the exact cause of Frimpong's death remains unknown, but investigations are underway by the New York Police Department, with reports pointing to bullying as a potential factor.
The President highlighted the broader issue of gun violence in the United States, stressing the nation's responsibility to address the risks associated with unrestricted firearm access and other societal problems. He also connected certain acts of violence to the escalating mental health crisis, warning that individuals struggling with psychological issues may sometimes be overlooked until they resort to extreme violence.
Mahama noted that the killing of Ghanaians in the United States is not an isolated incident, citing the recent discovery of another Ghanaian man, aged 24, at a dumpsite. He stressed that several Ghanaians have lost their lives due to violent incidents in the United States over the years, necessitating that American authorities scrutinize the situation more closely. However, Mahama acknowledged that Ghanaians are not the only victims, as other communities may also be experiencing similar situations.
The President commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support to Frimpong's bereaved family, especially in arranging for the teenager's mother to travel to the United States to pay her respects to her son. He also praised Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, for his assistance to the family during this difficult time.
Mahama further revealed that Ghana's diplomatic mission in New York had visited the family to offer condolences, with the Foreign Affairs Minister directing the mission to provide additional aid as needed.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
