A British teenager will remain in Ghana until at least the completion of his secondary school examinations, following a High Court ruling that cited significant safety risks if he were to return to England.
The youth, identified only as ‘S’ for legal reasons, had sought a court order to compel his return to the UK. His parents, who are originally from Ghana, had taken him on a family visit in March 2024 but returned to England the following month without him, having enrolled him in a boarding school with extended family.
In her ruling, the presiding judge acknowledged the boy felt “tricked” by his parents’ actions. However, she concluded that remaining in Ghana was presently in his best interests. The decision followed submissions from the parents, who expressed profound fears over their son’s safety in England, citing concerns about local gang culture.
Evidence presented to the court indicated the parents had discovered concerning material on the boy’s phone and found a concealed knife at their home prior to the trip. They reported a pattern of secretive behaviour and deteriorating conduct influenced by peer pressure, leading them to believe he was at serious risk of physical harm or worse in the UK.
The judge noted that while the teenager understandably felt like an “outsider” in Ghana and wished to return, forcing an immediate repatriation against his parents’ wishes carried a high risk of family breakdown. This, she reasoned, could ultimately expose him to the very dangers his parents sought to avoid.
A roadmap has been established with the aim of facilitating the boy’s return to England after he finishes his GCSE exams. In a statement, the boy’s father emphasised his love for his son, stating the decision was based on a “realistic assessment of the risks involved” and that Ghana currently represents the safest environment for him.
The ruling underscores the difficult choices families and courts can face when balancing a child’s wishes against pressing welfare and safety concerns.