The Gborbu Wulomo of the Nungua Traditional Area, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, 63, is said to have betrothed a 12-year-old girl. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed its strong disapproval of the situation.
In a release issued by its chairperson, Kathleen Addy, the Commission reiterated that it was “appalled” by the occurrence and stressed that cultural traditions that are “illegal” and “unconstitutional” had no place in Ghana’s democracy.
The Children’s Act, Act 560 of 1998, Section 13, (1&2) states that “the minimum age of marriage of whatever kind shall be eighteen years.” The NCCE would like to remind the Ga Traditional Council of this. The Commission added that it is important to note that the Children’s Act states that “No person shall force a child to be betrothed, to be the subject of a dowry transaction, or to be married.”
The Nungua Traditional Council claims that this union is consensual, but the Commission pointed out that “it is unclear to the NCCE how a pre-pubescent, pre-teen minor can consent to such an arrangement.”