Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that 12-year-old Ga minor, Naa Okromo, married an old man, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru, as she told to use the perfumes they gifted her to boost her sexual appeal to her husband.
A customary marriage between a 63-year-old Ghanaian traditional priest, Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII and a 12-year-old girl identified as Naa Okromo, has sparked public outrage on social media with many calling on the government to enact more stringent laws to outlaw child marriage.
The marriage ceremony which took place on Saturday in Nungua indigeneous community in Accra, has, however, pitched traditional worshippers against people of other religion and liberals who want the government to implement the 18-year minimum age to get married in Ghana.
Local media reports that videos and photos of the elaborate marriage ceremony that was attended by dozens of community members have been widely shared on social media, triggering an outcry among many Ghanaians.Â
‘According to tradition, the Gborbu Wulomo, having assumed his authority must also take a ‘Boi ekpaa yoo’, his customary wife,’ the post added.
The girl reportedly still has further rites to carry out until the union is complete.
She is set to undergo a second customary ceremony – one centered on ‘purification’.
‘This rite will empower her to fulfil all the duties expected of her as the wife of Gborbu Wulomo, including the crucial role of procreation,’ the post said.Â
Footage of the elaborate event show dozens of community members gathered to witness the wedding, triggering an outcry from several Ghanaians.
During the ceremony, women speaking in the local language Ga told the girl to dress teasingly for her new husband.
This sparked outrage as it suggested the marriage was not purely ceremonial.
Several critics have demanded the authorities to dissolve the marriage and investigate Tsuru.
Under the Facebook post, one concerned Ghanaian wrote: ‘Customary wife??? Child marriage is criminalised in Ghana and no rite that violates a girl’s rights to achieve her full potential should be celebrated’.