Bishop Salifu Amoako and his wife, Mouha, have been fined 500 penalty units each (GHc6,000 each) by an Accra Circuit Court for their failure to supervise their son, which led to the deaths of two girls.
The court, under the direction of Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon, also ordered the Bishop, leader of Alive Chapel International, to pay for damages, including the cost of a light pole worth over GHc8,000. The couple is also facing a separate case for allowing their unlicensed 16-year-old son to drive. The tragic accident in East Legon involved the teenager driving a Jaguar SUV, which collided with another vehicle, causing the deaths of two 12-year-old girls.
The teenager was convicted on several charges, including manslaughter and driving without a license.
The tragic incident also sparked a broader public debate about the responsibilities of parents in monitoring and controlling their children’s behavior, especially when it comes to activities that can have serious consequences, such as driving.
Many questioned the adequacy of parental supervision and whether stricter enforcement of traffic laws and regulations is necessary to prevent similar accidents in the future. In this case, Bishop Salifu Amoako and his wife, Mouha, were found guilty of negligence for allowing their underage son to operate a vehicle without proper supervision.
Their failure to regulate their son’s actions ultimately led to the accident, which resulted in the loss of two young lives.
As a consequence of their negligence, the couple was ordered to pay significant fines and reparations. Each of the parents was fined GH¢6,000 for their direct involvement in the incident, which reflected the court’s recognition of their failure to prevent their child from driving without a license.
Beyond the fines, Bishop Amoako, the leader of Alive Chapel International, was also required to pay over GH¢8,000 for the damage caused to a light pole during the crash. The financial penalties were intended to serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and the serious repercussions of failing to properly guide and supervise young people, especially when it comes to matters of public safety.
