Blitz Bureau
ACCRA: A 14-year-old British boy taken to Ghana by his parents against his will has won a significant legal battle after the UK Court of Appeal overturned a previous High Court ruling that had allowed him to remain in the West African country, reported africanews.com.
The teenager, raised in London, was sent to Ghana under the pretext of visiting a sick relative. Upon arrival, he discovered he had been enrolled in a boarding school and would not be returning home.
His parents said the move was driven by fears over his safety, citing concerning behaviour including images of knives on his phone and unexplained cash, signs they believed indicated early gang involvement.
In February 2024, the High Court ruled that while the boy had been misled, his parents’ actions were lawful under their parental rights and in his best interests. Justice Hayden said returning the boy to the UK could expose him to greater risks, despite acknowledging the psychological toll of the relocation.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision on June 12. Lord Justice McFarlane ruled that the initial judgment failed to adequately consider the boy’s emotional wellbeing and his right to be heard.
