Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, has contested the GaDangme Traditional Council’s justification of the child marriage between a 63-year-old Ga priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, Gborbu Wulomo, and a 13-year-old girl, Naa Okromo.
A video of the marriage ceremony, which took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua, has drawn public attention and criticism. The traditional council has clarified that the relationship between the priest and the minor is a betrothal, not a marriage.
However, in an interview on Face to Face on Citi TV, hosted by Umaru Sanda Amadu, Francis-Xavier Sosu argued that the betrothal is illegal under the Children’s Act.
“That is where the challenge is, if you use betrothal, you are still delving into a challenge. The law prohibits betrothal through the Children’s Act. Section 14 of the Children’s Act is so clear. If you are not 18 years, you cannot give consent to these things,” he said.
He condemned Gborbu Wulomo’s actions, stating that the rights of the 13-year-old girl have been violated. He also warned that any attempt by the traditional council to downplay the situation could lead to the reintroduction of the Trokosi system.
“We’re happy to know that they are safe [mother and child]. Because when you’re dealing with children, we call something welfare principles. The overriding principle of dealing with a child is the welfare principle.
“One thing that has badly been violated in this circumstance is how this 13-year-old has been paraded on TV, social media and everywhere and there’s no better way to say it, than to say this is wrong, it’s completely condemnable and it shouldn’t repeat itself. Any attempts to water it down will amount to a re-introduction of Trokosi system. Ghana took a decision to abolish it.”
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