Custody Of A Minor Eugenia Agben Sedinam [2022] GHACC 245 (9 May 2022)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT ADENTAN BEFORE HER HONOUR SEDINAM AWO BALOKAH THE PRESIDING JUDGE ON THE 9TH DAY OF MAY, 2022 TIME: 9:50 AM C11/27/2023 SUIT NO. IN THE MATTER OF AN ORDER FOR CUSTODY OF A MINOR (EUGENIA AGBEN SEDINAM) AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT CUSTODY OF A MINOR BY JANET BOKORVI AKORFA Applicant Present Respondent Present Child in issue, 4 year old Sedinam Eugenia Agben Present By Court - Ruling Having read both the Applications’ Affidavit in support of the instant Application, as well as the Respondent’s Affidavit in Opposition, Having duly perused the documents annexed to the Respondent’s Affidavit in Opposition; and Having given due consideration to Section 43, 44 and 45 of the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) as amended, It is my humble opinion that in furtherance of the best interest of the 4 year old female child Sedinam Eugenia Agben (see Section 2 of Act 560 as well) and under the peculiar circumstances of the suit which are as follows; 1) That the child Sedinam is a young child of 4 years (her age), 2) That the child Sedinam is a female child, 3) That the Applicant is the biological mother of the child Sedinam, and 4) That the Applicant does not exhibit any characteristics that is so exceptional as to render her an unfit parent, It is appropriate and in the best interest of the 4 year old female child Sedinam Eugenia Agben to remain in the physical and legal custody of her biological mother Janet Bokarvi Akorfa, the Applicant herein. In the circumstances, the Application is granted as prayed for. Custody of 4 year old Sedinam Eugenia Agben is granted to the Applicant. The Respondent is granted reasonable access to the said child twice every month on weekends and for half the duration of all school holidays. Weekend access shall begin on Fridays after close of school and end on Sundays at 3:00 pm. The Parties herein shall provide all necessaries of life, health and Education for their child Sedinam. Medical and Educational related bills shall be paid for by both Parties equally. The Respondent shall maintain the child with at least GH₵800.00 a month payable in a manner as agreed to by Parties. Each Party is PROHIBITED from removing the child Sedinam from Ghana without prior written consent of the other Party. The consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. I make no award as to cost. Parties shall bear their own cost. (SGD) H/H SEDINAM AWO BALOKAH CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE Comfy*