Teenager Loses Court Battle Against Parents Over Move to Ghana

• Feb 27, 2025

14-Year-Old Fails in Legal Bid to Return to UK After Being Sent to Boarding School in Africa

A 14-year-old boy has lost a court case against his parents after they relocated him from London to Ghana to attend boarding school.

The teenager, described in court as shy, articulate, and passionate about cooking and football, claimed his parents deceived him into traveling to Africa under the pretense of visiting a sick relative. According to him, had he known he was being sent to a boarding school, he would have refused to go.

However, the High Court in London heard that his parents acted out of concern for his safety, fearing he was at risk of being drawn into criminal activity.

In a written statement, the boy expressed his distress, saying: "I feel like I am living in hell. I really do not think I deserve this and I want to come home, back to England, as soon as possible."

Despite his pleas, Mr Justice Hayden ruled in favor of the parents, acknowledging that their decision was motivated by "deep, obvious, and unconditional love." He stated that returning to the UK posed a greater risk to the boy, as there was evidence suggesting his potential involvement in gang culture and an "unhealthy interest in knives."

The boy’s father told the court that he and his wife were trying to protect their son from becoming another victim of London's knife crime epidemic. "We didn’t want him to be yet another Black teenager stabbed to death on the streets of London," he said.

Boy Claims He Feels Like an Outsider in Ghana

The teenager, who was born and raised in the UK, argued that he struggled to adapt to life in Ghana. He said he was "mocked," got into fights, and found it difficult to follow lessons at school.

Feeling "scared and desperate," he reached out to the British High Commission in Accra and contacted the charity Children and Family Across Borders, which helped him connect with lawyers at the International Family Law Group. In an emotional appeal, he wrote: "I am from London, England, and I want to go back home."

The boy also alleged mistreatment at the school and begged to be allowed to return to his old school in the UK.

However, the court heard that his parents had taken action solely to protect him. His mother defended their decision, insisting that sending him to Ghana was "not a punishment but a measure to protect him." She referenced the tragic case of Kelyan Bokassa, a 14-year-old boy fatally stabbed on a London bus in January, saying that was "every parent's worst nightmare."

Signs of Criminal Exploitation

Rebecca Foulkes, representing the boy’s father, highlighted concerns from both his school and the children's charity NSPCC. According to their assessment, the teenager exhibited 11 warning signs of potential gang involvement, including unexplained absences from school, possessing expensive clothing and mobile phones, and carrying weapons.

Although the boy denied any links to gangs, he admitted his behavior had not always been good. "My behavior wasn’t the best," he acknowledged, believing this was the reason his parents sent him away.

The court case centered on the issue of parental responsibility and whether the parents had acted unlawfully by enrolling their son in a boarding school without his consent.

Court Rules in Favor of Parents

Following the ruling, the parents issued a statement expressing their relief: "This has been a really difficult time for us all. Our priority has always been protecting our son, and our focus now is on moving forward as a family."

James Netto, the boy’s lawyer from the International Family Law Group, said the teenager was "incredibly disappointed and upset," and was considering his next steps.

The boy also raised concerns about his education, stating that he found Ghanaian schooling less challenging than his previous studies in England. Since last summer, he had been learning online rather than attending formal classes. "I want to have an education again and grow up like a normal person. I feel like my brain is hurt here. I feel like now I am dumber than people I used to be smarter than," he wrote.

His father recently visited him in Ghana, and during the court proceedings, he suggested an alternative boarding school for his son. However, the boy had not agreed to attend, and there were no available places until September.

Growing Trend of Teens Seeking Legal Help

The boy’s lawyer, James Netto, noted a rise in similar cases where teenagers are legally challenging parental decisions to relocate them abroad.

"Teenagers are often placed in exceptionally challenging or vulnerable situations and are now beginning to turn to the courts for protection," he said.

According to Netto, many of these cases involve parents who believe their children are being influenced by "the wrong crowd" or displaying "unorthodox or challenging behaviors."

Following the judgment, he added: "We have already received enquiries from young people in exactly the same situation as this young man."