The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana has categorically rejected recent social media claims regarding the handling of the case of Nana Agyei Ahyia, a Ghanaian student who tragically died under unusual circumstances while studying at Riga Technical University in Latvia.
The video circulating online, purportedly featuring a sister of the deceased, made several unverified claims, including that the student’s mother was required to pay for travel arrangements, that government officials visited Latvia without family representation, and that a fake airline ticket had been issued to the mother.
In a press statement, the ministry emphasised that these assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unfounded. Officials have maintained constant and transparent engagement with the family to facilitate the travel of two nominated family members and a pathologist to Latvia. At no point has any government official requested or received payment from the family, with all travel costs borne by the Government of Ghana.
Efforts to enable travel were initially scheduled for January 31, 2026, but were delayed due to visa processing by the relevant authorities. The Ministry noted that family members had not presented all required documentation during visa appointments. Once the outstanding documents were submitted, the Ministry promptly facilitated their processing with the Embassy.
Despite repeated notifications that travel could not proceed without visas and passports, the mother reportedly appeared at the airport with bloggers, seeking to approach the airline counter. Ministry officials clarified that the document in her possession was an itinerary intended solely for visa purposes and not a confirmed ticket.
The Ministry stated that deliberate misinformation undermines public confidence in state institutions and detracts from efforts to establish the truth surrounding Nana Agyei Ahyia’s death.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue working with relevant authorities to secure visas for the family and pursue justice. It reiterated its dedication to protecting the welfare of Ghanaians abroad while ensuring a transparent, lawful, and compassionate handling of cases involving citizens overseas.
The Ministry urged the public and media to exercise caution and avoid spreading unverified claims, underscoring the seriousness of misrepresentation in matters involving human life and state responsibility.