Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has called on Ghanaians to support efforts to strengthen the country’s economy and create more opportunities at home, arguing that improved economic conditions could encourage citizens to remain in Ghana rather than travel abroad in search of better livelihoods.
His appeal follows growing concerns over the deaths of Ghanaian nationals in the United States, particularly two recent incidents in the Bronx, New York, which have raised questions about the safety and welfare of Ghanaians living overseas.
Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints programme on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Ambassador Smith said Ghana must work towards building an economy capable of providing decent employment, investment opportunities and improved living standards for its citizens. Editorial Standards
According to him, the country should not depend solely on opportunities abroad to provide economic security for its people.
Instead, it must create an environment where young people can build successful careers and businesses without feeling compelled to relocate to other countries.
“We need to help Ghana become economically strong so that we can create opportunities for people to live better lives here,” he said.
The Ambassador’s comments highlight the longstanding challenge of economic migration, which has seen many Ghanaians move to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and other destinations in search of employment, education and improved financial prospects.
Although migration can provide important opportunities for individuals and their families, Smith believes Ghana must do more to make staying in the country an attractive option.
He also appealed to successful Ghanaians living abroad to consider returning home to invest in local businesses and contribute to national development.
According to him, members of the Ghanaian diaspora possess valuable skills, professional experience, financial resources and international networks that could support the country’s economic transformation.
Their involvement in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology, healthcare, education and infrastructure could help create employment opportunities, particularly for young people entering the labour market.
The Ambassador’s appeal comes at a time when concerns about the safety of Ghanaian nationals in the United States have intensified following reports of separate deaths involving two Ghanaians in New York. Editorial Ethics & Independence
One of the victims was 15 year old Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, who was shot while reportedly walking to school in the Bronx on Thursday, October 29, 2026. He was rushed to St Barnabas Hospital, where he later died.
The teenager’s death generated widespread concern among Ghanaians, particularly because of his young age and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Another Ghanaian, 24-year-old Joseph Owusu, was also found dead after his body was discovered at a dumpsite in the Bronx. He had reportedly been missing for approximately two weeks.
The circumstances surrounding Owusu’s death have attracted considerable attention, with his family calling for justice and answers regarding what happened to him.
According to reports, surveillance footage showed two individuals removing a large black bag containing his body from a vehicle and leaving it on a pavement. His body was subsequently discovered by a man searching for scrap metal.
Investigations into both deaths remain separate, and authorities have not established a connection between the incidents.
Smith said the developments were deeply concerning and urged Ghanaians travelling to the United States to pay close attention to the communities and neighbourhoods in which they intend to live.
He explained that although Ghana’s diplomatic missions are expected to provide assistance to nationals abroad, the Embassy cannot automatically know the precise living conditions or security challenges facing every Ghanaian in the country.
He therefore encouraged prospective migrants to conduct proper research before choosing accommodation and to remain conscious of their surroundings after arriving in the United States.
The Ambassador’s warning also reflects broader concerns about the experiences of African immigrants, including cultural adjustment, discrimination and bullying.
During the same television interview, Smith revealed that his son had experienced bullying at school in the United States.
He said the treatment had caused him considerable concern and that he had formally reported the matter to the school’s authorities. Corrections Policy
He explained that his son had faced difficulties because of differences in speech and cultural expression, with some students reportedly expecting him to adopt American slang immediately.
Victor Smith said he had raised the issue with the school principal and would consider withdrawing his son if the authorities failed to address the situation.
He also questioned why some of the bullying was reportedly being carried out by Black students against other Black students, describing the situation as particularly troubling.
The Ambassador’s personal experience has added another dimension to discussions about the challenges Ghanaian families may encounter when relocating to foreign countries.
However, his comments were not limited to migration and personal safety. They also raised an important national development question: what can Ghana do to make its citizens feel confident about building their futures at home?
For many young Ghanaians, unemployment, limited access to capital, inadequate professional opportunities and concerns about career progression remain important factors influencing decisions to travel abroad.
Addressing these challenges will require sustained investment in productive sectors, stronger support for entrepreneurship, improved vocational training and policies that encourage businesses to expand and employ more people.
Creating a stronger economy also means ensuring that economic growth translates into better living conditions, reliable public services and opportunities across different regions of the country.
The diaspora can play an important role in this process, but attracting investment and encouraging return migration will require a stable business environment, transparent institutions and confidence in the country’s long-term economic direction.
Ultimately, Smith’s message is that Ghana must become a country where citizens can pursue meaningful opportunities without believing that leaving home is their only path to success.
While the recent deaths in the United States have renewed concerns about the safety of Ghanaians abroad, the Ambassador believes strengthening the domestic economy should remain a collective national priority. Newscard
His appeal presents an opportunity for government, businesses, investors and citizens at home and abroad to reconsider how they can work together to build an economy that creates opportunities, protects livelihoods and gives the next generation stronger reasons to stay and contribute to Ghana’s development.