Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has reacted to the tragic death of 15-year-old Ghanaian boy Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, who was shot and killed in the Bronx, New York, in the United States.
The award-winning musician has expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident while raising concerns about the upbringing of children, particularly among Black families living abroad.
In a post shared on his Instagram page on Saturday, October 31, 2026, Sarkodie reflected on how children were raised in Ghana and other parts of Africa, despite growing up in difficult neighbourhoods.
According to the rapper, although Ghana and other African countries have their own challenges, one thing he takes pride in is the upbringing many children received and the values their parents instilled in them.
Sarkodie observed that murder remains an extremely serious issue in Ghana, explaining that whenever such incidents occur, they become major news stories and attract widespread public attention because of how unusual and disturbing they are.
However, he expressed concern that violent killings appear to have become almost regular occurrences in some parts of Western countries, making it increasingly frightening for people, particularly members of the Black community, to feel safe.
The rapper also questioned the kind of upbringing that could lead young people to commit such acts, stressing that some Black parents living abroad need to do better in raising their children and teaching them the right values.
“I honestly don’t know what kind of upbringing shapes children to become so evil. I think some of my fellow Black brothers and sisters out there need to do better when it comes to raising their children and instilling the right values in them,” he wrote.
Sarkodie further expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, particularly Javits’ mother and father, following the painful loss of their son.
He described the teenager’s death as unfortunate and prayed for his soul to rest in perfect peace while asking God to give the family the strength to endure their difficult moment.
The tragic death of Javits has generated widespread reactions, particularly after his father, Thomas Frimpong, reportedly disclosed that his son had previously complained about being bullied at school.
The grieving father also revealed that the school had informed him that two students who allegedly bullied his son had been suspended shortly before the shooting.
Although the family suspects that the incident could be connected to the alleged bullying, authorities have not officially established the motive behind the killing.
New York police have been investigating the incident and searching for three teenage suspects believed to be between 16 and 18 years old.
The Ghanaian government has also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and pledged to work with American authorities to ensure that justice is served.
