Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched an investigation into the death of Nana Agyei Ahyia, an 18-year-old Ghanaian student who died under mysterious circumstances in Riga, Latvia.
In July, his family had demanded that authorities launch a probe into his death.
Mr. Agyei, a first-year electrical engineering student at Riga Technical University, had enrolled in July 2024. He died on June 4, 2025, after reportedly falling from the sixth floor of his apartment building on Baznicas Street.
Latvian authorities initially described the incident as a possible suicide, but the family has vehemently rejected that explanation. They are pointing to a voice note that Mr. Agyei allegedly sent relatives three days earlier, claiming he had been poisoned.
“We received news that he fell from the sixth floor and died. But we said, no, that cannot be true. There’s no way he would commit suicide. So I wrote letters to the Foreign Ministry, to the school, and contacted the police,” Sarah Nimli, a family spokesperson, recounted.
Allegations of Poisoning and Assault
The family has alleged that Mr. Agyei faced threats or harm from individuals in Latvia, though specific details of suspects have not been publicly confirmed by authorities.
An audio recording from Mr. Agyei, three days before his death, recounted an encounter with five individuals who had allegedly poisoned him.
He narrated how he had invited them to his hostel and was given a drink. After falling ill, he was admitted to a hospital where doctors determined that his drink had contained harmful substances. (Reports say the drink had been poisoned)
After learning he had survived the poisoning, the individuals he had met prior allegedly returned to his hostel three days later and assaulted him, leading to his death.
The family speculates that local authorities are covering up the incident.
A relative had traveled to Latvia, accompanied by a representative from Ghana’s Embassy in Berlin, which handles diplomatic affairs for Latvia, to get more answers.
Latvian police opened an investigation following the family’s outreach, but relatives say they have received minimal updates.
The Police originally categorized the incident as a fall from the 6th floor of an apartment on Baznīcas Street.
However, reports indicate that two Latvian nationals who were initially detained in connection with the case (following allegations of poisoning) were released.
Mr. Agyei’s remains were repatriated to Ghana in July and buried in August.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finally Responds
On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that the ministry is actively probing the case, marking a significant step after months of family advocacy.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commenced immediate investigations through relevant diplomatic channels,” he said in a post on X.
“We are expecting justice,” Ms. Nimli, the family spokesperson, said. “Those who were involved in killing him must be prosecuted. He never mentioned any issues with anyone at school. We want answers and accountability.”
Riga Technical University and Latvian authorities have not issued recent public comments on the investigation.
