Ghanaian woman fatally shot in Canada

A bright future has been cruelly cut short in Hamilton, Canada, where a young Ghanaian woman, Belinda Sarkodie, was tragically shot and killed by unknown attackers while waiting at a bus stop on King Street.

The heartbreaking incident happened on Friday, July 11, and has left both the Ghanaian community in Canada and many back home in Ghana in deep shock and sorrow. According to early reports, Belinda was simply checking herself in a mirror at the bus stop when she was fatally shot in the head.

The same shooting also affected two other people. One died on the spot, while the third victim was badly injured but survived. Eyewitnesses say the shooting appeared to be linked to a gang-related confrontation, and Belinda may have been caught in the crossfire—an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This disturbing possibility has left many shaken, especially as it reflects a growing trend of random gun violence in Canada. In a similar tragedy just three months ago, an Indian international student named Harsimrat Randhawa was also killed by a stray bullet while waiting for a bus in Hamilton. Back in February 2024, another Ghanaian man, Adu Boakye, was gunned down in a random attack near a bus stop in Toronto. Like Belinda, he was also far from home and supporting loved ones in Ghana.

At the moment, Hamilton Police have secured the area and launched an investigation into the shooting. The motive remains unclear, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are still working to determine exactly what happened and who was behind the attack.

What makes this even more painful is that reports suggest Belinda Sarkodie had no immediate family in Canada. This detail has especially touched the Ghanaian community, many of whom are now rallying to mourn her, support the investigation, and ensure that she is not forgotten.

The Ghanaian community in Canada, which is estimated to be over 100,000 strong, is mainly concentrated in big cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Hamilton, too, has a growing number of Ghanaian immigrants, made up of professionals, students, and families seeking a better life abroad. For many in this tight-knit group, the loss of Belinda feels deeply personal—even if they didn’t know her.

This tragedy has also brought renewed attention to the issue of safety and protection for African immigrants, particularly those living in communities where gun violence has been rising. There are now calls for Canadian authorities to do more to curb the spread of illegal firearms and prevent future attacks on innocent people.

The Ghana High Commission in Ottawa, along with Ghanaian community associations across Canada, is expected to be in touch with local officials to follow up on the investigation and possibly help with funeral arrangements. Belinda’s death has deeply touched many, and efforts will likely be made to either repatriate her body to Ghana or honour her memory locally in Canada.

As the investigation continues, many are praying for justice—for Belinda and for all innocent victims of gun violence. Her death serves as a painful reminder that no one is truly safe from the ripple effects of crime, and that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable individuals, especially immigrants and students who come to foreign countries seeking peace and opportunity.

While her life was cut short too soon, Belinda Sarkodie will not be forgotten. Her story is now part of a growing call for change, both in Canada and around the world, to stop senseless violence and make sure that no one else loses their life simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.