The 16-year-old son of Bishop Salifu Amoako has been sentenced to six months at the Senior Correctional Center after pleading guilty to multiple offenses, including manslaughter, dangerous driving, and driving without a license.
The conviction was handed down on Thursday, December 19, 2024, by the Juvenile Court in Accra, presided over by Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon. The juvenile admitted guilt to eight counts, which included two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing harm, two counts of dangerous driving, and one count of driving without a valid license.
Initially, the young defendant had pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, during proceedings, he changed his plea, leading to his conviction and sentencing. According to the Juvenile Justice Act, the six-month sentence is the maximum penalty allowed for a juvenile found guilty of manslaughter.
As part of his sentence, the court mandated that the juvenile sign an undertaking to refrain from driving until he reaches the legal driving age of 18. In addition, he will be required to report to Probation Officers every Friday as part of his probationary conditions, with his punishment set to begin immediately.
The court also imposed fines on the juvenile’s parents, Bishop Salifu Amoako and his wife, Mouha Amoako. Each was fined 500 penalty units, equivalent to GH₵6,000, for failing to exercise proper control over their son’s actions.
Furthermore, Bishop Salifu Amoako was ordered to pay compensation for the damage caused by the incident, including the destruction of a light pole valued at over GH₵8,000. The court also instructed the parents to sign an undertaking to take full responsibility for the proper upbringing of their son.
