A 14-year-old boy who took legal action against his parents after they moved him from London to Ghana for boarding school has failed in his attempt to return to the UK, as the High Court ruled in favour of his parents.
The teenager had argued that he was deceived into travelling to Ghana, believing it was a short visit to see a sick relative. However, upon arrival, he was enrolled in a boarding school, a move he claimed was done without his consent. The court, however, determined that his parents had acted in his best interests, driven by a desire to protect him from potential dangers in London.
The boy’s parents defended their decision, explaining that they were deeply concerned about his safety in the UK. They feared he was being drawn into gang-related activities, pointing to his changing behaviour, interest in knives, and possession of expensive items without a clear source of income. His school had also expressed concerns, suspecting he was involved in activities that could lead to trouble.
The father highlighted the dangers young people face in London, referencing recent incidents where teenagers had lost their lives to knife crime. He stated that their priority was to safeguard their son’s future, even if it meant making a difficult decision to send him away.
While the parents were convinced they had done the right thing, the teenager described his experience in Ghana as distressing. He claimed he was struggling to adapt to the education system and found himself isolated among his peers. He also felt that his academic progress had been negatively impacted, as he had been studying online for months without formal schooling.
Desperate to return to the UK, he reached out to the British High Commission in Accra and sought assistance from a children’s charity. Legal representatives took up his case, arguing that he had been removed from his home country and placed in a foreign environment against his wishes.
The legal battle centred on whether the parents had acted unlawfully by making such a major decision without their son’s consent. However, the High Court ruled that the move was within their rights as parents, as they had legitimate concerns about their son’s wellbeing.
Following the verdict, the parents acknowledged that the situation had been challenging but insisted their primary concern was protecting their child.
Although the teenager remains adamant about returning to the UK, discussions have taken place about enrolling him in another boarding school in Ghana. However, there are no available places until September, and it remains uncertain whether he will agree to continue his education there.
The case sheds light on a growing trend of parents taking drastic measures to steer their children away from negative influences, as well as the increasing number of young people turning to legal avenues to challenge such decisions.
