16-year-old Elrad Salifu Amoako has been formally charged with manslaughter in connection with a high-speed crash in East Legon, Accra, that tragically claimed the lives of two young girls. The juvenile faces eight charges, including manslaughter, negligently causing harm, dangerous driving, and operating a vehicle without a license.
The teen appeared before the Family and Juvenile Court in Accra on November 1, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court has since ordered his remand to a correctional facility and required him to surrender both his American and Ghanaian passports. His next court appearance is set for November 7.
Prosecuting the case, Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah detailed how, despite his age and lack of a driver’s license, the accused had been allowed regular access to family vehicles. According to the prosecution, events on the night of October 12, 2024, escalated when the boy, attending a family-hosted birthday party, took the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace Sport from Linda Bonsu Bempah, a personal assistant.
In a convoy with two other SUVs, the teenager allegedly sped through East Legon, reaching a dangerous pace on Dzane-Ashie Road. At a T-junction near Mensah Wood Avenue, he reportedly collided with an Acura vehicle driven by Joseph Ackah, who was transporting his employer’s two daughters and their friends. The impact was severe, throwing both vehicles across the road and igniting flames that engulfed both cars.
While the accused and his passenger managed to escape, Ackah and his passengers were not as fortunate. Bystanders managed to pull Ackah and two children from the vehicle, but tragically, two girls were trapped inside as flames overtook the vehicle, ultimately claiming their lives.
The prosecution emphasized that the teen’s driving was “recklessly endangering,” far below the standard expected of a careful driver, and highlighted the risks posed by allowing an unlicensed minor access to such a powerful vehicle.
