The boy who took his parents to court for sending him to Ghana told to stay by UK court

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, November 4, follows a legal dispute brought by the teenager, who alleged that his parents “tricked” him into travelling to Ghana under the pretext of visiting a sick relative.

Instead, he was enrolled in a boarding school in the country after being sent there in March 2024. 

The court decided that the boy, whose identity has been withheld, must remain in Ghana until he completes the equivalent of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).

According to court documents, the boy’s parents decided to relocate him as a “protective measure” due to concerns about his behaviour in London. These concerns included repeated school absences, unexplained cash, and possession of a knife. The teenager denies involvement in any criminal activity or gang affiliation.

The case came to light after the boy contacted the British High Commission in Accra and the UK-based charity Children and Family Across Borders. The charity facilitated his connection with the International Family Law Group, which represented him in court. He described himself as “scared and desperate” and expressed a strong desire to return to the UK.

In February 2025, the court sided with the parents, citing the risks of returning to the UK. However, in June, the Court of Appeal granted the boy’s request for the case to be reconsidered. The latest judgement upheld the original decision, determining that his return would further disrupt his education and family stability.

“I am acutely aware that the conclusion I have reached does not accord with [his] wishes and how that will feel for him... [He] has the talent, ability and intelligence to make this work together with his family. It will be difficult, but they all have the common aim for [him] to return to live with his family," said Judge Mrs Justice Theis. 

Now nearly 15, the boy remains enrolled in a school in Ghana and is working toward completing his GCSEs.

He describes his experience in Ghana as distressing, stating he was “living in hell” and “desperate” to return to the UK. He reported feelings of social isolation, noting he does not speak Twi, has difficulty making friends, and suffers from social anxiety.

The boy's mother has said that she would be unable to care for him in the UK at this stage. “It is really hard to be away from him... I feared and continue to fear that if he were to come back now, he could end up dead. I know he does not see it like that…” she said.

James Netto, the boy’s solicitor from The International Family Law Group,  told Global South World shortly after the boy had won his appeal in June, that the case hinged on the fact that he had been misled about the purpose of his travel and “his very strong wishes to return to his home, which is in London.”

Following the new ruling, Netto stated that the boy’s “position remains unchanged: he wants to return home.”