- 14-year-old taken to Ghana under false pretenses challenges his parents in UK court
- Parents claim the move was to protect him from criminal influences in London
- High Court originally sided with parents; Court of Appeal overturned ruling
A 14-year-old boy has secured a major legal victory against his parents after being sent from London to a boarding school in Ghana under false pretenses.
In March 2024, the teenager was told he was travelling to Ghana due to a sick relative, but it later emerged that his parents had orchestrated the move out of concern he was becoming involved in criminal activity in London. Once in Ghana, the boy became homesick and distressed, and with the help of legal counsel, took his case to the High Court in London.
Initially, the High Court ruled in favor of the parents, stating that their actions were motivated by love and concern. However, in a Court of Appeal decision on Thursday, that ruling was overturned, allowing the case to be reheard.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, expressed concern over how the original judgment had been reached and agreed that a fresh hearing was necessary.
At the appeal hearing, the boy’s barrister, Deirdre Fottrell KC, said the teenager is “desperate” to return to the UK, describing him as feeling “abandoned” and “culturally displaced.”
The boy, who remains in Ghana and is currently attending a day school, described his experience as feeling like he was “living in hell,” noting that he was mocked and struggled to understand lessons.
His solicitor, James Netto, hailed the ruling as a “hugely significant” moment in international family law, emphasizing the importance of listening to young people in cases that directly impact their lives.
The parents’ legal representative, Rebecca Foulkes, defended their decision, arguing that Ghana offered a safer environment, away from potential criminal influences in London. She described their choice as the “least harmful” option.
At the heart of the legal dispute lies the tension between parental authority and a child’s autonomy—particularly when the child is deemed mature enough to have a say in major life decisions.
The Court of Appeal found that the High Court had failed to give sufficient weight to the boy’s own best interests and maturity.
The case will now return to court, to be heard by a different judge in the coming weeks. A final written judgment is expected at a later date.
