The Paramount Chief of the Sempe Traditional Area, Nii Adote Otintor II, has strongly condemned the marriage between the 63-year-old Ga priest and a 13-year-old girl, an act that has ignited widespread public criticism.
The controversial marriage, officiated on March 30, 2024, between Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, and the minor, Naa Ayemoede, has been met with public outcry and denouncement from various quarters of the Ga Dangbe community.
In a passionate plea, Nii Adote Otintor II called upon the president, traditional authorities, and other institutions to safeguard the girl child, indicating that the 1992 Constitution takes precedence over any law or tradition.
He emphasised the need to protect the youth, who represent the future of the Ga people, from such practices that threaten their prospects.
Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, spokesperson for the Gborbu Wulomo expressed that such incidents tarnished the reputation of the Ga Dangbe people and urged the youth to stand against the perpetuation of this injustice.
He criticised certain leaders for damaging the tribe’s name and warned of the long-term implications if such issues are not addressed.
Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, “What is happening is a dent on the reputation of all Ga Dangbe people. I am telling all Ga youth that this is the time for them to rise. Some leaders of the ethnic group are dragging the tribe through the mud. If we play with things like this, it will cast dirt on the community.”
But, according to the Executive Secretary to the Sempe Paramount Chief, Elvis Asiedu Antwi, the ceremony that was carried out by Gborbu Wulomo was purely marriage and that is against the Constitution and the Children’s Act of Ghana.
He said, the Children’s Act (1998) describes a child as a person below the age of eighteen (18) years and Section 2 of that Act which talks about the Welfare principle states that the best interest of the child shall be paramount in any matter concerning a child and the child must be protected from neglect, discrimination, violence, abuse, exposure to physical and moral hazards and oppression.
He said, “It also states that No person shall force a child: (a) to be betrothed; (b)to be the subject of a dowry transaction; or (c) to be married and Clause (2) says that the minimum age of marriage of whatever kind shall be eighteen years.”
According to him, what is happening in Gborbu Wulomo’s case is nothing but can be described as “paedophile” which is against the laws of Ghana and as stated in the ACT, the Penalty for contravention is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding c5 million or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both.
He dispelled Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II’s position that those against the Gborbu Wuloomo’s marriage to the 12-year-old girl are a dent on the reputation of all Ga Dangbe.
He said, the criticisms are in no way creating a dent on the reputation of all Ga Dangbe but rather, the act of allowing Gborbu Wulomo to marry a child.
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