By The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice has urged the Ghana Police Service to promptly investigate the marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a 63-year-old Ga priest, known as Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII or Gborbu Wulomo. This call for investigation follows the priest’s involvement in performing traditional marriage rites for Naa Okromo over the weekend.
Amid widespread criticism and assertions from the traditional council that the ceremony was a betrothal rather than a marriage, the Attorney General’s office cited the Children’s Act of 1998. On Tuesday, they directed the Inspector General of Police to verify the nature of the ceremony in accordance with the law.
They emphasized that according to the Children’s Act, the betrothal of children is prohibited, and individuals involved in such actions are subject to punitive measures.
The investigations would empower the Ministry of Justice to prosecute any individual found guilty of the offense outlined in the Act, as stated in parts of the statement.
“A person who contravenes a provision of sections 2 to 14 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to terms of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both the fine and the imprisonment.”
“The allegations, if proven, constitute a criminal offence for which all persons involved must face prosecution. We would appreciate it if you could cause your outfit to conduct the necessary investigation of the alleged child marriage to enable our Office to do the needful,” portions of the release read.
