A ceremony in Ghana has sparked debate and attracted attention and condemnation. Sixty three year old traditional priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXX III married a 12-year old girl in a traditional wedding ceremony sparking dire outrage about child welfare and customary practices.
Despite efforts to reduce child marriages, they still remain to be a major problem in the country since the legal marriage age is eighteen years old. Girls Not Brides, a global NGo reiterates that a huge percentage of girls based in Ghana marry before adulthood further emphasising the need to address the issue.
The wedding ceremony that was attended by several community members sparked criticism following the circulation of photos and videos on social media. Concerning reports made during the event endorsed the young bride’s readiness for marriage and its responsibilities hence sparking condemnation and concern for intervention.
Even as critics vocalize their demand for the dissolution of the marriage, leaders from the Nungua indigenous community that encompasses the bride and priest have defended the marriage citing customs and entrenched traditions.
One community leader known as Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, has emphasized the importance of understanding cultural marriages.
He insisted on the traditions that govern these unions further assuring that the young girl’s education will not come to a halt even after assuming the role of the priest’s wife. The young bride will go through customary rituals to formalise the young girl’s role in the community. According to local media outlets this process is to prepare her for the responsibilities that come along with her marital status and that includes childbearing.