A human rights lawyer Francis Sosu says he will go to all lengths to get the state to bear the cost of a teacher’s misconduct which has caused the paralysis of a 17-year old student.

Since the teacher was working for the state, the state is therefore liable for the actions of the teacher, he explained to Joy News.

Richard Djamgba was left paralysed after falling from a coconut tree four months ago. He says he was forced to climb the tree by his teacher popularly called Sir Johnson to pluck the fruit for him even though he explained he did not know how to climb it.

Doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are battling to restore the health of the 17-year-old pupil of the Aboabo Sonkor Junior High School in the Eastern Region.

According to the boy’s doctor Dr. Dodi Abdalla, he cannot guarantee the boy will walk again.

Richard Djamgba is unable to sit, he is unable to walk, he said.

“He is paralysed in the lower limbs and fractured in the upper limb. He has not improved as to how he came in…sorry he may not be able to walk again, that is how bad his situation is,” Dr. Abdalla described the boy’s situation.

Lawyer Francis Sosu said the situation is unacceptable and a breach of Richard Djamgba’s rights to fully participate in life.

“This child must be heavily compensated because, obviously from the description that the doctor has given, it means this child is going to be permanently disabled,” he asserted.   

Mr. Sosu said he is willing to assist the family in obtaining justice.

“This is a case I would be interested in; assisting the child and family to pursue justice against the state and against this teacher who is at the centre of this unfortunate incident.”

He said what the teacher did amounts to misconduct and demanded that educational authorities institute disciplinary action against him to serve as a deterrent to other teachers.