Grandmother of East Legon Accident Victim Calls for Stricter Juvenile Sentencing

Efua Benneh, grandmother of Justine Agbenu, one of the victims of the tragic East Legon accident, has called for amendments to Ghana’s Juvenile Justice Act 2003 (Act 653) to enforce stricter penalties for juvenile offenders.

Her plea comes in the wake of the sentencing of a 16-year-old boy responsible for a collision that claimed two lives. The juvenile, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and reckless driving, received the maximum penalty of six months at the Senior Correctional Center under the current law.

Expressing her disappointment, Benneh told reporters, “It is unacceptable that someone can cause the deaths of two people through reckless driving and receive such a light sentence. I hope measures can be taken to change the law.”

The case has reignited public discourse on Ghana’s juvenile justice system, with many advocating for reforms to better reflect the gravity of offenses like manslaughter and dangerous driving. Critics argue that the current system, while prioritizing rehabilitation, may not adequately ensure justice for victims and their families.