One of Ghana’s most influential traditional spiritual leaders has come under fire, following his marriage to a 12-year-old girl. The 63-year-old priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, wedded the child in a customary ceremony. The incident has prompted loud criticism in the country, where the age of consent is 18 – and child marriage is actually illegal. According to UNICEF data, Ghana is currently home to over two-million child brides, with one-in-five women aged 20 to 24 married before the age of 18.
A 63-year-old traditional priest named Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, has caused controversy in Ghana by marrying a 12-year-old girl where the age of consent is 18. Despite facing criticism, community leaders have defended the marriage, stating that outsiders fail to understand their customs and traditions.
The priest conducted the marriage in a customary ceremony held on Saturday. In Ghana, the legal minimum age for marriage is 18, and while the prevalence of child marriage has decreased, it still occurs.
The news was swiftly deamed as peadophilia by the general Ghanaian public as outrage burst worldwide. Shortly afterwards, the Ghanaian police reported yesterday that they have identified and located the young girl, whom they have under police custody as seen in the image below.
Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, a leader within the local community, emphasized on Sunday that the girl’s role as the priest’s spouse is entirely rooted in tradition and custom.
BBC reported that Frankwa II said that the girl started the rites to become the priest’s wife six years ago, but the process did not interfere with her education.
It is to be noted that Ghanaian law acknowledges customary marriages, it explicitly prohibits child marriages under the pretext of culture or tradition. According to the NGO Girls Not Brides, 19% of girls in the country are married before the age of 18, with 5% getting married before their 15th birthday.
Videos of the marriage ceremony depict locals advising the girl to prepare for her duties as a wife and to utilize the perfumes they presented to enhance her attractiveness to her husband.
Additionally, reports from local media indicate that the girl is anticipated to undergo a second customary ceremony to cleanse her for her new role as the high priest’s wife. This ceremony will also prepare her for marital obligations such as childbirth.
Elders stated in a press interview and threatened the police intervention, stating that “The young lady who is our queen is under police protection…. But we are telling the world that she is our royal, and if the police say they are taking care of her, then the police must be reminded that whatever happens to her, then traditionally we will deal with the police.” as seen below.
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