A Family and Juvenile Court in Accra, presided over by Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon awarded temporary custody of a minor (name withheld), to her father, Kwadwo Adjei, who is the Applicant in the ongoing case.
To safeguard the child’s welfare and ensure adherence to the court’s directives, several measures were instituted, including restricting the mother, Karen Baaba Sam (Respondent), from leaving the country with the child.
The Case determined by Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon with Madam Gifty Okai and Mr Joseph Attigah as Penel members, also issued multiple orders to ensure compliance and protect the child’s welfare, including barring the mother, Karen Baaba Sam, from taking the child out of the country.
The case, Suit No. A6/410/24, centers on a custody dispute between the parents.
However, the Court had previously granted temporary care and custody of the child to the Applicant (Kwadwo Adjei), with visitation rights for the respondent (Mother- Karen Baaba Sam).
Though, it was revealed that the Respondent (Karen Baaba Sam) had unlawfully kept the child, defying Court orders.
In response to the Respondent’s actions, the Court issued a series of directives including Order for Retrieval of the Child; where the Court tasked the Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at the Ministries and East Legon Police Station, in collaboration with the Director of Social Welfare, with immediate retrieval of the child.
The Court emphasized the importance of the child resuming school to protect her educational rights.
Also, an Absconding Warrant was issued on the same day, to prevent any attempt by the Respondent (Karen Baaba Sam) to remove the child from the country.
The Court ordered the Ghana Immigration Service not to permit her to travel abroad with the child, whilst granting Travel Restriction within Ghana by ordering the Commander of the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to ensure that the Respondent (Karen Baaba Sam) does not leave Accra with the child pending the final determination of the case.
The Court’s decision underscores its commitment to the best interests of the child, ensuring her right to education and stability.
In delivering the ruling, Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon emphasized that defiance of court orders undermines the judicial process and violates the child’s rights and that the orders will safeguard the child’s welfare amidst the custody disputes.
All parties are urged to comply with court orders to ensure a resolution in the child’s best interest.