Global

Controversy Erupts As 63-Year-Old Ghanaian Traditional Priest Weds 12-Year-Old Girl

An influential traditional priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, aged 63, has caused an uproar in Ghana by marrying a 12-year-old girl in a customary ceremony held on Saturday.

Despite criticism, community leaders defend the union, saying that people do not understand their customs and traditions.

While the legal minimum marriage age in Ghana is 18 and the prevalence of child marriage has declined, child marriage persists, with 19% of girls marrying before 18 and 5% before 15, according to Girls Not Brides, a global campaigning NGO.

Videos and photos from the elaborate event, attended by dozens, have circulated on social media, sparking widespread condemnation by many Ghanians.

During the ceremony, women speaking in the local language Ga were advising the girl to prepare for marital duties and to use the perfumes they gifted her with to enhance her sexual attractiveness to her husband.

These statements have fueled outrage, as they suggest the marriage is not merely ceremonial. Critics are calling for authorities to annul the marriage and investigate Mr. Tsuru.

Leaders of the Nungua indigenous community, to which both the girl and the priest belong, have condemned the public’s opposition to the marriage, saying the criticism “comes from a point of ignorance”.

Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, a local community leader, said on Sunday that the girl’s role as the priest’s wife is “purely tradition and custom”.

He further explained that the girl commenced the rites to become the priest’s wife six years ago, but the process did not interfere with her education.

The girl is slated to undergo a second customary ceremony to purify her for her new role as the high priest’s wife. This ceremony will also prepare her for marital duties such as childbearing, according to local media reports.

Mr Tsuru is a “Gborbu Wulomo”, or traditional high priest in the Nungua indigeneous community in the capital, Accra.

As a spiritual leader, the priest holds a prominent position among the community’s traditional leaders. He conducts rituals on behalf of the community, offers prayers for its welfare, upholds cultural traditions, and presides over traditional ceremonies like the induction of tribal chiefs.

Government officials have not yet addressed the controversial marriage.
While Ghanaian law acknowledges customary marriages, it expressly prohibits child marriages disguised as cultural or traditional practices.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

Melissa Enoch

View Comments

  • ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
    Bag of rice 18,5OO
    Vegetable oil 15,0OO
    Golf3= 400,000
    Camry Tinny-Light=500,000
    Tundra 1,300,000
    Toyota Exterra=850,000
    Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
    Toyota Venza= 1.7million
    Toyota Avalon=850,000
    Toyota Rav4=950,000
    Toyota Prado=1.3million
    TOYOTA HILUX=2million
    Toyota Sienna=850,000
    TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
    Toyota Corolla=650,000
    Toyota Matrix= 700,000
    Toyota Highlander=950,000
    Toyota Picnic=500,000
    Tacoma 1.850,000
    Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
    Toyota Tundra=1.5million
    Toyota Sequola=900,000
    BMW 5-series=1.960,000
    BMW 3-series=1.640,000
    BMW X6=2.670,000
    Ford Edge=700,000
    Ford Escape=600,000
    Honda Elantra=600,000
    Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
    Dyna Truck 900k
    TIPPER Head 6mill
    ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)
    Honda Accord=550,000
    Honda CRV=650,000
    HONDA CIVIC=500,000
    HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
    Honda Pilot=850,000
    Nissan pathfinder=800,000
    Nissan Amanda=750,000
    Infinity=950,000
    Benz C250=N1.300,000
    Benz C300=1.6MILLION
    Benz ML350=2 million
    Benz ML300=1.5 million
    Benz ML550=2.6million
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
    Es330 1.6
    Lexus C5 350=950,000
    IS250 1m
    Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
    Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
    Is350 2mill
    Gx470 1.8mill
    Lexus Rx350= 2 million
    ES350 2mill
    Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
    Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
    Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
    Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
    Pequot 206=350,000
    Pequot 406=470,000
    Pequot 607=650,000
    .....
    ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)

Recent Posts

Indonesian Government To Evacuate 16,000 Residents After Mount Lewotobi Eruption

Indonesia is evacuating 16,000 residents after Mount Lewotobi erupted, resulting in nine deaths and significant…

9 mins ago

Philippines Stockpiles Food, Evacuates Towns As Typhoon Yinxing Threatens Northeast

The Philippines is stockpiling food, evacuating towns, and deploying soldiers in preparation for Typhoon Yinxing,…

23 mins ago

Harris Wraps Up Campaign in Philadelphia, Trump Rallies in Michigan as Tight Election Nears

Harris has concluded her campaign in Philadelphia while Trump gathers support in Michigan as election…

38 mins ago

Pennsylvania Judge Approves Elon Musk’s $1Million Voter Giveaway

A Pennsylvania judge has approved Elon Musk's plan to give away $1 million in support…

51 mins ago

Israel Hostages Forum Calls for Investigation into Leak of Confidential Documents by Netanyahu Aide

The Israel Hostages Group has urged for an investigation after a Netanyahu aide allegedly leaked…

52 mins ago

Japan Launches World’s First Wooden Satellite LignoSat To Test Timber’s Potential In Space

Japan has launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, to explore timber's potential in sustainable…

56 mins ago