https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240401/ghanaian-priest-reportedly-married-12-year-old-girl-drawing-wrath-of-netizens-1065870317.html
Ghanaian Priest Reportedly Married 12-Year-Old Girl, Drawing Wrath of Netizens
Ghanaian Priest Reportedly Married 12-Year-Old Girl, Drawing Wrath of Netizens
Sputnik Africa
The Ghanaian legislation sets the minimum age for marriage at 18, since the government of the nation ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in... 01.04.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-04-01T18:26+0200
2024-04-01T18:26+0200
2024-04-01T18:43+0200
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A 63-years-old Ghanaian traditional priest, Gborbu Wulomo aka Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, has taken a 12-year-old girl as his customary wife, local media reported, attaching a video of the wedding to the news.The girl was given a new traditional name after the wedding — Naa Ayemoede — and should subsequently undergo "a second customary ceremony, one centered on purification," the outlet added. The ceremony will reportedly prepare the customary wife for marital responsibilities such as childbearing.According to the media, Wulomo's 12-year-old wife is part of his "assumption of authority."Many social media users have condemned the marriage, calling on the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to pay attention to the situation which is against the law of the land."Future stolen, happiness stolen, right stolen and incoming mental health problems. This is a barbaric act. Whether she's stool wife or not. It's a total no. I can't sit and watch my "16 years old" sister go through this not to talk of '12 years old' come on," another user pointed out.However, some users began to defend the marriage."Whether you like it or not is their tradition, please respect it," another user noted.Ghanaian law recognizes customary marriages, but does not allow child marriages under the guise of culture or tradition. 19% of girls in Ghana are married before they reach 18 and 5% get married before their 15th birthday, according to Girls Not Brides, a global organization focusing on ending child marriage.*Meta and its products Facebook and Instagram are banned in Russia for extremist activities.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240116/unicef-commends-raising-of-age-of-consent-for-sexual-activities-to-18-in-zimbabwe-1064648347.html
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ghana, west africa, family, traditions, traditional values, culture, media, children
ghana, west africa, family, traditions, traditional values, culture, media, children
Ghanaian Priest Reportedly Married 12-Year-Old Girl, Drawing Wrath of Netizens
18:26 01.04.2024 (Updated: 18:43 01.04.2024) The Ghanaian legislation sets the minimum age for marriage at 18, since the government of the nation ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1986, which requires states to ensure free and full consent to marriage.
A 63-years-old Ghanaian traditional priest, Gborbu Wulomo aka Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, has taken a 12-year-old girl as his customary wife, local media reported, attaching a
video of the wedding to the news.
"In Nungua [town in southeastern Ghana], the air is thick with tradition as the customary marriage between Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, and a young girl named ‘Naa Okromo’ unfolds. The age difference is striking: the venerable Gborbu Wulomo is ‘63 years old’, while Naa Okromo is 12 years old," the media said.
The girl was given a new traditional name after
the wedding — Naa Ayemoede — and should subsequently undergo "a second customary ceremony, one centered on purification," the outlet added. The ceremony will reportedly prepare the customary wife for marital responsibilities such as childbearing.
"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," the media noted.
According to the media, Wulomo's 12-year-old wife is part of his "assumption of authority."
Many social media users have condemned the marriage, calling on the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
to pay attention to the situation which is against the law of the land.
"Ghana Police Service please have you seen this? We beg you she’s just 12 years old," one netizen wrote on Facebook*.
"Future stolen, happiness stolen, right stolen and incoming mental health problems. This is a barbaric act. Whether she's stool wife or not. It's a total no. I can't sit and watch my "16 years old" sister go through this not to talk of '12 years old' come on," another user pointed out.
"I respect customs but if this is really true, the the man must be arrested. How can you even marry a 12 year old? How?" a social media user replied.
However, some users began to defend the marriage.
"Did the girl complained to u please. Some of u ladies have pass marriage think About ur wasted life's. Tradition does not mean he will sleep with her. Go n Marry n live tradition Alone old women," a netizen said (sic).
"Whether you like it or not is their tradition, please respect it," another user noted.
Ghanaian law recognizes customary marriages, but does not allow child marriages under the guise of culture or tradition.
19% of
girls in Ghana are married before they reach 18 and 5% get married before their 15th birthday, according to Girls Not Brides, a global organization focusing on ending child marriage.
*Meta and its products Facebook and Instagram are banned in Russia for extremist activities.
