A scandal has erupted in Ghana following the marriage of a teenage girl aged just 13 to a 63-year-old priest, sending shockwaves through the West African country.
The traditional ceremony took place near the capital Accra and was widely broadcast on social networks, triggering a wave of indignation among Internet users and children’s rights activists.
The priest in question, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, also known as Gborbu Wulomo, was the central figure in this controversial union. In Ghana, the minimum legal age for marriage is 18, making this union not only morally shocking but also against the law.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a campaigner and former Minister of Gender Equality, Children and Social Protection in Ghana, pointed out that such cultural practices were in flagrant contradiction with the country’s laws and constitution, calling for immediate action by the authorities. She described the event as criminal and illegal, stressing the need for legal action.
The Attorney General’s office announced the opening of an investigation into the case, stressing that if the allegations were confirmed, legal action would be taken against all those involved.
Controversy over the girl’s age also emerged, with the authorities claiming she was 13 while traditional authorities maintained she was 16.
The priest’s spokesman attempted to defend the union by claiming that there was no sexual aspect involved, assuring that until the girl reached the legal age of consent set at 16, there will be no intimate relationship would be envisaged.
However, these arguments did not dispel concerns. The spokesman clarified that this was a traditional ceremony, not a marriage, and that its purpose was to assist the priest in his spiritual duties. He also stated that the girl’s rights had not been violated and that she was continuing to attend school.
Despite these statements, the girl and her mother were taken into police custody shortly after the ceremony, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the need to ensure her safety and well-being.
With AFP/abj/APA