The Minister-designate for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Darkoa Newman, has indicated that Naa Okromo, the 15-year-old child married to a 63-year-old Ga priest, has not been defiled. This was confirmed following various medical assessments made to ascertain whether the minor has had any carnal knowledge with Gborbu-Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, whom she was married to.

Speaking during a press conference in Accra, Ms. Newman said, “The Social Welfare Department under the Ministry of Gender had taken the child through counseling with the required medical attention taken.” “We would like you all to know that the medical assessment on the child indicates that she is not pregnant, and she has no immediate health concerns,” she said.

 

Interim action

The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in its interim report, advised that Naa be returned to live with her parents and continue her education. The Minister further revealed the girl’s exact age as 15, having been born on 18th July 2008.

“The child will continue to pursue her education, and the Attorney General has issued an interim report and has advised that in the best interest of the child and in accordance with Section 2 and 5 of the Children Act, she should be released to her parents pending their review of the docket,” Ms. Newman disclosed.

Meanwhile, a Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has disclosed that the AG office is reviewing the docket to ascertain various issues concerning the matter before deciding on possible prosecution.

“If anything adverse is found in this particular docket, we give you the assurance that we will initiate prosecutions, but if there is nothing adverse about what happened, we will also let you know,” he said.

Background

On March 30, a video on social media, triggered by reports of an alleged marriage of a 12-year-old girl to the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse in Nungua circulated. In the video, the 63-year-old priest Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, also known as Gborbu Wulomo, was seen performing the traditional marriage rights of Naa Okromo. Following widespread criticism, the traditional council denied claims and insisted that the ceremony was a betrothal between the young girl and the priest.

According to the office of the Gborbu Wulomo, Naa Okromo is considered one of the special children chosen by the Gborbu deity to dedicate their lives to serving the god. Again, the GaDangme Council clarified that the relationship between the Gborbu priest and the 12-year-old girl is simply a betrothal and not a marriage.

However, in response, CHRAJ and Civil Society Organizations including Occupy Ghana, Amnesty International, FIDA-Ghana, and many others condemned the ceremony citing a violation of the Children’s Act. Shortly after, the Ghana Police Service announced that it had taken Naa Okromo and her mother under police protection. Also, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice urged the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations into the alleged marriage.

By Josephine Duodo