The Ghanaian community in the Bronx, New York, has been thrown into mourning following the discovery of the body of a 24-year-old Ghanaian, Joseph Owusu, at a dumpsite, about two weeks after he was reported missing.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, with the discovery coming barely days after the fatal shooting of another Ghanaian teenager, 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, in the same borough on October 29, 2026.
Owusu, who reportedly worked as a caregiver supporting persons with disabilities, was said to have been found among refuse by a scrap collector.
Some media reports indicate that his body was discovered inside a rubbish bag, although the precise circumstances of his death have not been established.
He was also an organist and chorister at the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx, where he was known for his involvement in church activities.
The two incidents have heightened concerns among Ghanaians in the United States and relatives back home, with calls for thorough investigations into the deaths and justice for the victims.
UN Mission Visits Family
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York has visited the bereaved family of Owusu to express the government’s condolences and offer support.
The delegation, led by Deputy Permanent Representative Ben Dotsel Malor and Consul-General Anthony El-Adas, visited the family on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who joined the engagement by telephone.
According to a statement issued by Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the UN on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Mr Ablakwa expressed shock and sadness over the incident, particularly because it followed the killing of another Ghanaian teenager in the Bronx.
“I have been shocked and saddened by this tragic news, especially coming on the heels of the horrible news of the killing of 15-year-old Javits, also in the Bronx, New York,” he said.
The minister assured the bereaved family that the government would engage the relevant United States authorities and agencies to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Owusu’s death were thoroughly investigated.
He further conveyed the government’s sympathy to the family and pledged its support as investigations continued.
Owusu’s family described him as a beloved son and brother whose death had left them devastated.
His brother, Kwadwo, has called for a thorough and transparent police investigation, urging authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible for his death is brought to justice.
The family has reportedly been informed by the police that an autopsy is being conducted to establish the cause of death.
However, the Permanent Mission’s statement did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or the possible cause of death.
