Ghanaian Student who was 18 years, dies under mysterious circumstances in Latvia and his body returned to Ghana, the focus remains on truth and justice.
Who Was the Latvia Student?
- Full Name: Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia
- Age: 18 years
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Field of Study: First-year student in Electrical Engineering (Adaptronic)
- Institution: Riga Technical University, Latvia
- Arrival in Latvia: July 2024
- Residence: Apartment on Baznicas Street, Riga.
Latvia Country: where is it & who are its neighbours?
- Location: Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic states.
- Borders: Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia and Belarus to the east, and with a western coastline along the Baltic Sea. Latvia is also near Sweden and Finland across the sea. Its capital is Riga—a historic city and cultural hub.
- Latvia is part of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area.
Timeline of Events
🟡 June 1, 2025
Nana Agyei reportedly sent a disturbing voice note to family and friends, claiming he had been poisoned.
His message expressed fear for his life, prompting immediate concern from loved ones.
🔴 June 4, 2025
Nana was reported dead after allegedly falling from the sixth floor of his apartment building in Riga.
Local authorities informed relatives that he died by falling, but no clear explanation was given for the circumstances.
June–July 2025
- The family disputed claims of suicide or accidental fall, pointing to the earlier voice message as evidence of foul play.
- Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was petitioned by the family to intervene and demand a full investigation.
- The family criticized a lack of support from the Ghanaian Embassy in Berlin (which has jurisdiction over Latvia).
Body Returned to Ghana
The body of Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia was returned to Ghana in early July 2025 after coordination with local and international authorities.
Family members, friends, and community leaders gathered at Kotoka International Airport to receive his remains.
A private autopsy was reportedly requested by the family upon arrival to independently verify the cause of death.
Plans for a memorial and burial in his hometown were underway as of mid-July.
“We will not rest until we know exactly what happened to Nana. He was full of life and had dreams to build a better future through education.”
— A family spokesperson
Investigation Status
Latvian police are said to be conducting an ongoing investigation, but as of late July 2025, no official findings have been made public.
The family says they have not received detailed communication from either the Latvian authorities or Ghana’s diplomatic offices.
The Ghanaian diaspora in Europe has also called for a transparent review of the case and better protection for international students abroad.
Wider Implications
This tragic case has raised concerns about:
Student safety abroad, especially in lesser-monitored regions like Eastern Europe.
The need for better diplomatic responsiveness from embassies when Ghanaians face crises overseas.
Calls for Ghana’s Foreign Ministry to establish a student support framework for nationals studying abroad.
According to GhanaRegions.com, the death of Nana Agyei Oduru Ahyia, an 18-year-old with a bright future, has shaken both his family and the broader Ghanaian community. With his body now returned home, the focus remains on truth and justice. His story is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges and risks young international students may face far from home.
The family continues to seek answers, urging both Ghanaian and Latvian authorities to act transparently, responsibly, and swiftly to uncover what really happened.
