Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, has strongly urged law enforcement to take action against Gborbu Wulomo for his alleged involvement in the unlawful marriage of an underage girl.
Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, known as the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, has sparked widespread backlash following the circulation of a video depicting his marriage to a 12-year-old girl named Naa Okromo on social media.
The traditional marriage ceremony, which drew a crowd, occurred on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua.
Gborbu Wulomo defended himself by stating that the girl would not be expected to fulfil marital duties.
However, an outraged Kofi Asare highlighted that Wulomo’s justification is irrelevant to the law.
In a Facebook post, on April 1, he asserted, “The law says it is illegal to marry a girl under 16. The excuse that she will not be performing conjugal duties is immaterial to the law. The cops must grab the Nungua Wulomo and cohorts now.”
The GaDangme Council has issued a clarification regarding the nature of the relationship between a traditional Ga priest and the 12-year-old girl, asserting that it constitutes a betrothal rather than a marriage.
In a statement released on Monday, April 1, and signed by its President, Ayikoi Otoo, the Council revealed that it had held discussions with Gborbu Wulomo and several of his elders to address the matter.
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.”
“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.”
STORY BY ; PORTIA AKU SHIKA GAFAH
