Family urges Ghana authorities to repatriate remains of student who died in China

The family of 24-year-old Ghanaian student Mercy Yaaba Bredu has appealed to the government and relevant authorities to help return her remains from China, where she died only two days after travelling to begin a master’s degree.

Bredu had recently completed her national service in Winneba when she secured a scholarship to continue her education in China. She left Ghana on Monday, 24 August, and was accompanied to the airport by members of her family.

Her relatives said she appeared to be in good health when she departed and that there had been no indication the journey would end in tragedy.

According to former classmates from the University of Education, Winneba, Bredu collapsed at an airport in China and was taken to hospital. She was pronounced dead on Wednesday, 26 August.

Her family is now seeking urgent support to navigate the procedures required to bring her remains back to Ghana for burial.

Her elder sister, Maame Yaaba, said the family had been devastated by the sudden death and was appealing for help from the government, diplomatic representatives and other relevant institutions.

“We are therefore calling on the government and the relevant authorities to help us bring her body back home for burial,” the elder sister said.

“Please, we need your help.”

The family hopes authorities will intervene with the necessary processes in China and assist with the repatriation of Bredu’s remains.

Maame Yaaba said Bredu had completed her national service in Winneba only recently.

“She was doing her national service in Winneba. She called us barely two weeks ago to inform us that she had completed her service,” she said.

After returning home, Bredu told her family about an opportunity to pursue further studies outside Ghana. She subsequently called a family meeting to announce that she had successfully obtained a scholarship.

“When she came home, she called a family meeting to inform us that she had applied for a scholarship outside the country and that everything had been successful,” her sister said.

Bredu then asked her relatives for their support as she prepared to travel and begin what was expected to be a new stage in her academic and professional life.

“She asked us to support her so she could embark on her journey,” her sister added.

The family accompanied her to the airport on Monday, 24 August, before her flight to China departed at about 1:30 p.m.

Maame Yaaba said Bredu completed the required airport procedures without assistance and appeared healthy.

“So, on Monday, we escorted her to the airport, and her flight took off at around 1:30 p.m. She was healthy,” she said.

“She went through all the necessary processes at the airport by herself.”

Bredu also contacted her family after the flight had taken off, reassuring them that she had begun her journey safely.

“When the flight took off, she called us,” her elder sister recounted.

However, the family became concerned the following day when Bredu did not answer their calls.

“The following day, I was expecting her call, but she did not answer,” her elder sister said.

They later received a call from someone speaking on Bredu’s behalf, informing them that she had been admitted to hospital and was receiving medical attention.

“Someone later called us on her behalf to inform us that she had been hospitalised and was being attended to by health experts to save her,” she said.

Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Bredu died on Wednesday, 26 August.

Her death has shocked both her relatives and former university colleagues, particularly because she had appeared to be well when she left Ghana. The family said she had completed all the necessary medical checks in Ghana before travelling.

Bredu was a first-class student at the University of Education, Winneba and served as Vice President of the Association of Students of English (ASSENS) during the 2024/25 academic year. Her former classmates had expected her to begin her studies in China.

Her family is appealing for help so that difficulties involved in transporting a body from another country do not delay her burial in Ghana.

“We are therefore calling on the government and the relevant authorities to help us bring her body back home for burial,” her elder sister said.

“Please, we need your help.”