I bumped into a guy at Republic Bar. It was only the second time we had met. We sat down to talk, and from nowhere he told me, “This particular artist has buried your name.” He said it was because I had the courage to say things to this artist that others were afraid to say. I laughed, but he insisted he was serious. I don’t know if what he told me is true, but he was very certain. And that’s something I’ve been thinking about: sometimes, when you speak up and people realise you’re not afraid to speak, they look for ways to silence you. In our part of the world, people also believe in using spiritual means to destroy others. They won’t come with a gun or a knife. They will call your name, bury your picture and do things they believe can destroy your life. I’m not saying this artist has done that. I don’t know. But these beliefs and practices exist, and people should be careful. I’m not looking for sympathy or engagement. I’m simply saying what happened. I’m already rooted in the earth. How do you bring the earth down? You can never bury a Bawku boy.
The U.S. Embassy is deeply saddened by the tragic death in New York City of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old student of Ghanaian descent. We hold Javits' family, friends, and all who mourn him in Ghana and the United States in our thoughts. #USinGhana