London, May 10, 2025 — Suzzy Adwoa Pinamang, a second-year student of Adventist Senior High School in Bantama, has arrived safely in the United Kingdom to undergo emergency eye surgery, following a tragic incident that left her with a life-altering injury.
The 17-year-old student was accidentally shot in the eye by a classmate under disturbing circumstances, triggering a national outpouring of concern and support.
The incident occurred during a routine school day when a fellow student reportedly brought a locally manufactured pistol to campus.
The weapon discharged unexpectedly during what was initially believed to be an act of carelessness or mischief, hitting Suzzy directly in her right eye.
She was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, where initial emergency care was administered.
Subsequent assessments by specialists at both KATH and Agarwal Eye Hospital in Accra concluded that the damage was extensive and beyond the scope of treatment available in Ghana.
Doctors recommended immediate transfer to a specialized facility abroad to attempt to save her vision and preserve the structure of her eye.
Suzzy arrived in London on the morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025. She was accompanied by her brother, who is serving as her primary caregiver, and Mr. Rafik Mahama, special aide to Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama.
Mr. Mahama is fully sponsoring Suzzy’s medical trip, including flights, accommodation, treatment, and post-operative care.
This life-saving journey was made possible through the swift and coordinated efforts of Mr. Mahama, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson.
Hon. Ablakwa played a pivotal role in facilitating the visa process, working closely with the UK High Commission and instructing Ghana’s High Commission in London to provide Suzzy with special consular support throughout her stay.
He publicly confirmed the completion of all travel and diplomatic arrangements in a statement on his Facebook page on Thursday, May 8, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for their commitment to ensuring Suzzy received timely intervention.
Speaking to media sources, Mr. Rafik Mahama reiterated Ibrahim Mahama’s resolve to see Suzzy make a full recovery, noting that “Mr. Mahama considers it a duty to step in when young lives are endangered through no fault of their own. Suzzy deserves every opportunity to regain her health and her future.”
Suzzy’s surgery is scheduled to take place in the coming days at a leading UK ophthalmology hospital. Her case has sparked wider conversations in Ghana about student safety, gun control, and the role of philanthropists and public officials in bridging critical gaps in emergency healthcare.
Report By: Fuseini Safianu Mandeya
