By Sekaggya Seka Moses
A British teenager, who had taken his parents to court over being sent to a boarding school in Ghana, will remain in the West African country until he completes his GCSEs, a High Court judge has ruled.
The 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken to Ghana in March 2024 under false pretenses, with his parents telling him he was visiting a sick relative.
However, court papers revealed that his parents had actually decided to send him to Ghana due to concerns about his behavior in London, including absences from school, having unexplained money, and allegedly carrying a knife.
The boy denies these allegations, saying he was not part of a gang and did not carry a weapon. He had sought to return to the UK, claiming he was unhappy and homesick in Ghana, where he does not speak the local language, Twi, and has struggled to make friends.
In February, he won a Court of Appeal bid to have his case reheard after the most senior judge in the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, said there had been confusion in the previous decision.
However, Judge Mrs Justice Theis ruled on Tuesday that it was in the boy’s best interests to remain in Ghana, citing potential disruption to his schoolwork and family life if he were to return to the UK prematurely.
The judge acknowledged that her decision would be difficult for the boy, saying, “I am acutely aware that the conclusion I have reached does not accord with [his] wishes and how that will feel for him… [He] has the talent, ability, and intelligence to make this work together with his family. It will be difficult, but they all have the common aim for [him] to return to live with his family.”
The boy’s solicitor, James Netto, of the International Family Law Group, stated that his client welcomes the clear plan set out by the judge for his eventual return to the UK.
“He never wanted to be in a position where he was obliged to bring court proceedings against his own parents, but their actions left him with no meaningful alternative,” Mr. Netto said.
The boy’s mother expressed the difficulty of being separated from her son, saying, “It is really hard to be away from him… I feared and continue to fear if he were to come back now, that he could end up dead. I know he does not see it like that…”
The judge has ordered that the boy remain in Ghana until he completes his GCSEs, with a review of his situation to take place nearer the time to assess his return to the UK.
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