The family of the late Nash Amoonu Jailor from Bator in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region has appealed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to intervene and facilitate the repatriation of their son’s remains from South Africa to Ghana for burial.

The victim, who was an IT expert and the family’s breadwinner, was reportedly attacked and killed in East London, South Africa, in April this year, during the beginning of the xenophobic attacks.

Months down the line, the family says the body is yet to be brought home. They say the continued stay of his remains in South Africa has compounded their grief, and they are appealing to the government to help bring him home so they can give him a befitting burial.

Speaking to Class News’ Charles Akrofi, the deceased’s mother, Patience Dotse Adjei, said the family has been devastated by the loss and is struggling to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. According to her, she is constantly crying and rarely sleeps, with the thought that her son was gone. She appealed directly to the Foreign Affairs Minister and the government to assist the family in bringing Nash’s remains back home.

“We are appealing to the Foreign Affairs Minister to help us bring our son home. I can’t sleep,  We want to bury him here in Ghana. His death has already brought us so much pain, and we need the government’s support to bring his remains home,” Patience said. According to her, earlier they were told government was working to bring back the remains. In view of that, the family used all their resources to purchase items for his burial. ‘’We have used everything we have to purchase the items for his burial. Now we are struggling, and to provide a three square meal has been a difficulty. We are only surviving at the mercy of some individuals’’ the mother said. 

The mother described Nash as a responsible son who played a critical role in supporting the family and helping his younger siblings. His kid sister, Linda Amonu Jailer, also told Class News’ Charles Akrofi that the family has been anxiously waiting for the return of their brother’s remains. She said the family’s inability to bring Nash home has made it difficult for them to properly mourn his death.

“We are pleading with the government, especially the Foreign Affairs Minister, we know you are doing a lot, but please, help us bring our brother’s body home. We just want to see him again and give him a befitting burial and have closure as a family,” Linda said.

According to the family, Nash had lived in South Africa for over a decade, where he worked as an IT expert and operated his own IT firm. He was said to have been returning home from work, in East London when he was attacked and killed.

The family says Nash’s death has left a significant gap, particularly because he was a major source of support for his younger siblings. The family is therefore urging the government to engage the relevant authorities in South Africa and take the necessary steps to facilitate the repatriation of his remains.