The Ghana Police Service has said they have identified and located the 12-year-old girl who is alleged to have been married to the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo in Nungua, Accra.
The Poloice say the girl and her mother are currently under Police protection.
“The Ghana Police Service is working with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to provide her with the necessary support while the matter is being investigated,” a statement issued by the Police said.
Following the news of the marriage, a Former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo told the state to initiate legal processes against those who carried out the ceremony.
She said it is a crime for which the state ought to have intervened.
“I am expecting that the state, the Government of Ghana should have intervened, that is their legal responsibility.
“I am expecting that with immediate effect the state ought to have intervened to address the issue because what has happened is a crime and is unlawful under our Children Act, under our 1992 Constitution and we have ratified the international convention on the rights of children’s. So it is clearly unlawful, I expect the state to intervene and to also protect the girl,” the private legal practitioner told TV3 in an interview on News 360 on Monday, April 1.
“I expect the government, the police, the Ministry of Gender to intervene…and ensure that the legal processes are initiated” she stressed.
Whether the parents are contented or not it is immaterial, our law is very clear that the minimum age of marriage of whatever kind shall be 18 years. You can only get married in Ghana if you are 18 years and above
The Nungua Traditional Authority explained the rationale for the marriage which raised concerns among the public.
The Office of the Overlord of Ga Dangme clarified that the marriage is strictly for traditional purposes as she will not be performing any conjugal rite.
Nungua Mankralo Tetteh Nii Gbotery Kofi Frankwa explained that the minor would only be assisting the Overlord with his duties at the temple as a virgin.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Monday, April 1, he said “This is the second wife she is almost 90 years old, can one say that the Gborbu Wumlormo is having what concerns are being raised with her? Obviously no. But is a customary duty It is a customary duty for Naa Yomo to perform and that customary duty calls for a virgin “
“Her childhood has never been denied, there are many chiefs and queens that were installed chiefs and queens when they were even in their mother’s belly, their rights were never taken away, indeed it enhanced and gave them certain privileges that ordinary children will not even have.”
By the customs of their community, Naa Okromo now assumes the traditional name Naa Ayemoede.
But this union is not complete without further rites. Naa Ayemoede is to undergo a second customary ceremony, one centered on purification.
This rite will empower her to fulfill all the duties expected of her as the wife of the Gborbu Wulomo, including the crucial role of procreation.
Meanwhile, the Gborbu Wulomo temple has been saying that the 12-year-old girl has been designated to attend to one of the 99 deities of the Ga-Adangbe group, which necessitates her being a virgin.
The ceremony, which according to the spokesperson for the temple, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, began six years ago, was made public to ensure the young girl’s purity is maintained in order to protect her from sexual violation by men.
He has been explaining at a press conference that the role the young girl is expected to perform within the shrine is traditionally reserved for virgins.
He indicates that those criticising the practice and calling for the prosecution of the Wulomo lack insight on the Ga-Dangme tradition, something they should have consulted before laying bare their criticisms.
“When somebody makes such a call it comes from a point of ignorance. Because first, you need to come closer and ask so that you will appreciate what it is but not take hook line, and sinker what is being said,” he said at the press conference Monday, April 1, 2024.
“Because it goes beyond what is being preached out there. It is deeper than what is being preached. It is deeper for our spirituality,” he added.
