President John Dramani Mahama has renewed concerns over public safety in the United States, identifying widespread access to firearms and growing mental health challenges as major factors contributing to gun violence.
His remarks follow the deaths of two Ghanaians in New York, incidents that have drawn attention to the safety of Ghanaian nationals living in the United States.
Speaking at a meet-the-press session at the Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, 2026, President Mahama said the deaths of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong and 24-year-old caregiver Joseph Owusu had brought into focus the broader security challenges confronting American society.
Frimpong was reportedly shot dead in the Bronx, while Owusu’s body was discovered near a dump site in the same city after he had been missing for two weeks.
Commenting on Frimpong’s killing, the President noted that some accounts had suggested bullying could have contributed to the incident. However, he stressed that the NYPD was still investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Beyond the individual cases, Mr Mahama argued that America’s gun culture and the relatively easy process of acquiring firearms remained serious concerns.
He observed that constitutional protections surrounding the right to bear arms had made access to guns a significant challenge in efforts to address violence.
The President also linked the problem to increasing mental health pressures, cautioning that individuals experiencing psychological difficulties may not always display outward signs of distress.
According to him, the pressures of modern living have made mental health an increasingly important issue, requiring greater attention from societies and policymakers.
He warned that the combination of psychological distress and access to firearms could have devastating consequences, particularly when warning signs go unnoticed.
President Mahama therefore maintained that tackling gun violence must remain a priority for the United States, arguing that the recent deaths of the two Ghanaians underscore the urgency of addressing the country’s wider violence and mental health challenges.
