'She thought she was safe here': Ghanaian woman killed in Hamilton shooting remembered as honest and kind
CBC
Belinda Sarkodie left Ghana in 2024 to seek refuge in Canada. On Friday, she was killed in Hamilton while she was with a friend and they were waiting for a bus.
"That's not fair.... She thought she was safe here," said Evelyn Aidoo.
Although not a blood relative, Aidoo was regarded as 26-year-old's aunt — someone Sarkodie considered family away from home.
Aidoo described Sarkodie as "kind, honest, cheerful, supportive." They were supposed to meet on Saturday. But the day before, she found out about Sarkodie's death through social media.
"I was sent a message through a clip that a young Ghanaian had been killed in Hamilton. Her name was Belinda and I didn't think it was the same Belinda I knew.
"I didn't want to believe it."
On Monday afternoon, Aidoo spoke to CBC Hamilton by the bus stop where Sarkodie was killed while she was there with others to lay flowers.
Sarkodie, who was born in the community of Konongo in Ghana, was the youngest of three children and helping support her mother back home.
Those who knew her said she was smart and had big dreams.
According to police, Sarkodie was an "innocent bystander" during the shooting near James Street North and King Street West.
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect.
Through a statement from Hamilton police, Sarkodie's family said she was an "affable person known for her warmth, kindness and gentle spirit," and leaves behind a sister and mother in Ghana, and a brother who lives in Manitoba.
Sarkodie worked at the Hamilton airport, but made it a habit to visit Jackson Square on Fridays for grocery shopping.
Her friend and co-worker, Grace Nasiru, said Sarkodie had been working a lot, and made plans to go out and enjoy last weekend. They had spoken that morning to iron out details of their outing, Nasiru said.
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