UK Court Rules Teenager Can Remain in Ghana, Citing Ongoing Risk in England
LONDON – A UK court has ruled that a teenager removed from the country and taken to Ghana by his parents can remain ther for now, despite his desire to return, due to continued concerns about his safety from “gang culture” in the UK. The decision, delivered by Mrs Justice Theis, acknowledges the “very real concern” about the boy’s wellbeing while feeling abandoned, but ultimately prioritizes perceived safety risks.
The case centers on a family’s attempt to shield their son from involvement with potentially hazardous groups in England. The boy’s mother previously told the court she still “considers him at risk of serious physical harm or death” if he were to return.
While the judge noted the teenager now has “more of an understanding of why his parents took the steps they did,” she also recognized the decision doesn’t align with his wishes. However, she expressed confidence in his “talent, ability and intelligence to make this work,” and highlighted the family’s ”common aim” for his eventual return.
In a statement, the boy’s father, who has been visiting him in Ghana, emphasized his love for his son but stated, “I do not believe I can ensure [his] safety if he remains in England.” He characterized the decision as a “realistic assessment of the risks involved,” asserting that “Ghana is currently the safest and most suitable place for him.”
The court hearing took place last month,with Michael Gration,KC,representing the mother. The details of the case underscore the growing anxieties surrounding youth involvement in gangs and the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children.
