The 16-year-old son of renowned Ghanaian cleric, Bishop Salifu Amoako, has been sentenced to serve six months at the Senior Correctional Centre following a tragic accident in East Legon.
The Juvenile Court in Accra, presided over by Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon, handed down the sentence after the teenager pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including eight counts of manslaughter, negligently causing harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a valid license. This decision was reached on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Initially, the young offender had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing harm, two counts of dangerous driving, and one count of driving without a license. However, he later changed his plea to guilty.
The court imposed the maximum sentence allowed under Ghana’s Juvenile Justice Act for a juvenile convicted of manslaughter. Additionally, the court directed that the teenager sign an undertaking prohibiting him from driving until he turns 18, in compliance with Ghanaian law.
Additional Consequences and Parental Accountability
Beyond his custodial sentence, the juvenile must report to probation officers every Friday during the six-month period.
In a rare move emphasizing parental responsibility, the court fined Bishop Salifu Amoako and his wife, Mouha Amoako, 500 penalty units each (equivalent to GH₵6,000) for failing to adequately supervise their son. They were also ordered to pay GH₵8,000 in compensation for damages, including the replacement of a light pole destroyed in the accident.
Moreover, the court mandated the parents to sign an undertaking, pledging to ensure their son’s proper upbringing.
The tragic accident has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the importance of road safety and parental responsibility, especially when minors are involved.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
