Achimota School negligently caused death of student-High Court declares
By Richard Osei Boateng
Published
Updated
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As a result, the court ordered the defendants; Mr. Danso, the Achimota Secondary School Board of Governors, and the Office of the Attorney-General to pay GH¢400,000 in general damages, GH¢200,000 for loss of expectation of life.
The High Court has held Achimota School negligent in not providing proper medical care to a General Arts student, which ultimately led to his death.
Barely seven years and six months after his passing, the family of 15-year-old Kervin Kofi Moses has finally seen justice.
In the judgment dated May 28, 2024, Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame held that Dominic Danso, the Housemaster of Fraser House, failed to exercise his duty of care to Moses.
The judge was particularly critical of why neither of the housemasters accompanied the seriously ill student to the hospital.
Justice Tasiame also took notice of the lack of remorse shown by Mr. Danso during his testimony, highlighting the deep impact on Sonia Ofori-Ansong, who lost her only child in a society where children are highly valued.
As a result, the court ordered the defendants; Mr. Danso, the Achimota Secondary School Board of Governors, and the Office of the Attorney-General to pay GH¢400,000 in general damages, GH¢200,000 for loss of expectation of life, and an additional GH¢10,000 in costs to the plaintiffs.
However, the court declined to order the school to commemorate Moses' death annually.
Background
Moses was enrolled at Achimota Senior High School in October 2016.
On November 28, 2016, he called his mother, Sonia Ofori-Ansong, complaining of feeling unwell and suspecting malaria.
Despite seeking medical attention at the school clinic, he was only given ibuprofen and told he did not have malaria.
When the mother requested to take her son to the hospital, Mr. Danso refused, insisting that Moses was fine.
On December 2, 2016, Ms. Ofori-Ansong received a call from Mr. Danso asking her to meet them at Achimota Government Hospital, where Moses had been taken. The following day, Moses was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital at his mother's request but sadly passed away on December 4, 2016.
