Ghana High Commission appeals for family of deceased Ghanaian worker in Nigeria

The Ghana High Commission in Abuja has launched a public appeal to trace the family and next of kin of Apia Solomon, a Ghanaian national whose remains have been in storage at a Nigerian military hospital morgue for over two years. The diplomatic mission is seeking assistance from the public to locate relatives who may have lost contact with Solomon or be unaware of his death.

Solomon, believed to have originated from Osu in Accra, was born on 6 March 1960 and passed away on 5 July 2021 following cardiopulmonary failure. At the time of his death, he was employed as a temporary civilian staff member at Nigeria's National Defence College in Abuja, where he contributed to institutional operations.

Current situation and search efforts

The deceased's remains are currently held at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital morgue in Abuja, pending the arrangement and execution of burial rites. According to the High Commission's statement, initial efforts to identify and contact Solomon's family members have proven unsuccessful, necessitating the broader public appeal. The uncertainty surrounding his family arrangements has left his burial in limbo, highlighting the challenges faced by diplomatic missions when citizens pass away abroad with limited traceable contacts.

The High Commission has appealed to anyone with knowledge of Solomon's family, friends, or anyone connected to him to come forward with information. This may include former colleagues, acquaintances from his time in Nigeria, or individuals from his hometown in Accra who might recall details about his family structure or relatives.

Why this matters for Ghana

Cases like Solomon's underscore the vulnerability of Ghanaians working abroad, particularly those in temporary or informal employment arrangements. Many Ghanaians migrate to Nigeria and across West Africa for employment opportunities, yet without robust networks or family communication, their situations can become precarious if complications arise. The delay in burial also raises broader questions about documentation, next-of-kin protocols, and how Ghanaian missions abroad manage welfare and repatriation matters for nationals in distress.

This situation highlights the importance of maintaining emergency contact information with family members and ensuring diplomatic missions have access to updated records of Ghanaian workers abroad. For families of Ghanaians living in Nigeria or other countries, it serves as a reminder to maintain regular communication and ensure that employers and relevant authorities have current contact details.

For those with information about Apia Solomon or his family connections, the Ghana High Commission in Abuja remains the primary point of contact. Providing any leads, no matter how distant or tangential, could help facilitate the dignified burial arrangements that have been pending for his remains.