The marriage between a 63 year old priest and a 12 year old girl has sparked outrage, as police have moved in to protect the child and her mum
A 12 year old girl who was married to a 63 year old priest is now ‘under police protection’ as people demand his arrest. The wedding between the elderly priest and the young girl has caused a lot of anger and the police have stepped in to keep the child and her mum safe.
The wedding happened on Saturday, March 30, in Nungua, Ghana. The man, known as Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, got married to the child, whose name is thought to be Naa Okromo. The priest chose her when she was only six-years-old. A news outlet in Ghana called Pulse said that the girl is now expected to take part in another ceremony about purification.
Pulse added: “This ritual is thought to empower her to carry out her anticipated responsibilities as a wife to Gborbu Wulomo, which includes bearing children.”
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Now, the Ghana Police Service has said that they know where the 12 year old girl is and she is being protected by the police along with her mother, reports the Daily Star.
“The Ghana Police Service is working with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to give her the help she needs while the matter is being looked into,” the Police said in a statement.
This comes after a group called African Education Watch, some famous people and people on social media asked for Gborbu Wulomo to be arrested straight away for deciding to marry the child.
Kofi Asare, the Executive Director of the African Education Watch, took to Facebook to express his outrage. He wrote: “The law says it is illegal to marry a 12-year-old girl.”
He continued: “The excuse that she won’t be performing conjugal duties is immaterial to the law. The cops must grab the Nungua Wulomo and cohorts now! “.
Gborbu Wulomo is known as the Overlord of all Ga-Damgbe State.
Star FM in Ghana reported that the ceremony was allegedly necessary “to ensure no man sexually stains her.”
A spokesperson for the temple, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, explained the historical and spiritual relevance of the marriage.
They said: “Naa Yomo Ayemuade is a reincarnated woman who lived over 300 years ago and has returned to ensure that the sacred rituals of one of the deities which have not been performed for years can be done.”
According to Star FM, the priest “will have to wait until she is mature or she reaches the legal age of marriage and childbirth” to have sexual relations with the child.
