The Member of Parliament for Madina in the Greater Accra Region, Francis-Xavier Sosu has called for the arrest of the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII for marrying a 12-year-old girl.
According to the human rights lawyer, marriage should only involve consenting adults.
Expressing strong disapproval of the marriage, Mr Sosu criticized both the priest and the parents of the girl, holding them accountable for failing to protect the rights and liberties of the child.
Speaking to Accra-based TV3, the Madina MP announced his intention to petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take action regarding the unlawful marriage.
“The family is the first unit or the basic unit, of every society. And every child I mean must be protected at all costs until they reach the mandatory adult age of 18.
This child does not have the mental capacity, the emotional capacity, the physiological capacity to be in a marriage relationship.” he stated.
“…….and so for a parent who gives this child away must be very wicked and very heartless,” said lawyer Sosu, adding that such a parent is “neglecting your responsibility as a parent and as it’s been enshrined in law.”
He demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Nungua Gborbu Wulomo, stressing that no individual is above the laws of the country.
Meanwhile the GaDangme Council has clarified that the relationship between the 12-year-old girl and the Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua is a betrothal and not marriage.
Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, faced backlashes when a video surfaced online showing him in a marriage ceremony with a 12-year-old girl, Naa Okromo.
The traditional ceremony, which attracted attention, took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua.
Responding to the matter, the GaDangme Council in a statement noted that after its meeting with the Gborbu Wulomo and some of his elders, the narrative making rounds is different.
It is “important to clarify that the traditional ruler has stated that the relationship with the underage girl is a betrothal and not a marriage. This distinction to us has altered the legal implications.”
They further explained “we are inclined to side with the Gborbu Wulomo since the original reportage made the point that there was another ceremony that awaited the girl to purify and prepare her for procreation.”
Source:amaghanaonline