Uproar in Ghana as 63-year-old chief priest marries 12-year-old girl

There is massive uproar in Ghana as a 63-year-old priest marries a 12-year-old girl.

This sparked outrage as several Ghanaians trooped to social media to condemn the marriage which took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Nungua, Accra.

The groom known as Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, tied the knot with the child, reportedly called Naa Okromo.

In a report, the marriage came about due to a longstanding custom which allows the priest to marry a virgin.

It was gathered that the priest chose her when she was at the age of six. As the customs demand, the girl is expected to participate in a purification ceremony.

The ritual is said to empower her to carry out her expected responsibilities as a wife to Gborbu Wulomo, which includes child bearing.

Following the public outcry, the shrine of Gborbu Wulomo at Nungua in the Greater Accra region defended the marriage, saying the marriage was done to ward off other men and that when she matures, she will perform her final rites.

"She is still in school; she does not live with the Gborbu Wulomo. We started the traditional marriage of Naa Yomo Ayemuade (12-year-old) to ward off other men. When she matures, we will have our final rites," it said.

A spokesperson for the temple Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II explained the historical and spiritual relevance of the marriage.

He said: "Naa Yomo Ayemuade is a reincarnated woman who lived over 300 years ago and has returned to ensure that the sacred rituals of one of the deities which have not been performed for years can be done."

The priest "will have to wait until she is mature or she reaches the legal age of marriage and childbirth".

This has since raised concerns among several Ghanaians who called on the government to intervene.

The police in response to the call, said; “the Ghana Police Service has 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 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.”

Here are some reactions on social media;

Justice Baidoo: I hope that this is a joke and also that the Gender Ministry and the Police have started work to establish the facts around this.
We want and cherish our custom but certainly not the part that says hand out a 12 year old girl to a 63-year old man.

Fame Kwesi Atitsogbe: With all due respect to my Ga Adangbe people…Beyond conjugal rites (which I even doubt will be protected), how about her right to education, social protection, health and proper parenting?
She is just a 12-year old child with no mind of her own, given out for marriage. She needs proper guidance and not manipulation in the name of tradition. The world is in 2024 for Christ sake!

_naa_amerley: 12 years????? Come on this is illegal!

real_truthgh: Arrest the man, the elders the parents, everyone, and ban that kingdom

abmudi85: Paedophilia in the guise of tradition. How can a 12 year old be expected to have children

angy_a89: I expect authorities to intervene!!! WHAT?!?

tuateba: So she has parents??? I don’t want to believe this is true. This is not tradition. It is child abuse … Oh Ghana

ohemaa_sasha: This is really heartbreaking…..I Thought Child marriage has been abolished…..Or I thought wrong?……