Varying reactions have engulfed the Nungua indigenous community in Accra, Ghana, following the marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a 63-year-old influential traditional priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII.
The customary ceremony which took place last Saturday amidst elaborate festivities, has come with a widespread condemnation from both local and international observers. Images and videos of the event, shared widely on social media, have ignited outrage over the apparent endorsement of child marriage within the community.
During the ceremony, attendees purportedly encouraged the young bride to adorn herself in a manner deemed provocative and to prepare for marital duties, fueling concerns about the nature of the union.
Critics have called for immediate intervention from authorities to annul the marriage and investigate Tsuru’s conduct. Ghanaian law stipulates a minimum marriage age of 18, yet child marriage persists in the country, with significant proportions of girls wed before reaching adulthood.
In response to mounting criticism, community leaders have defended the marriage as a matter of tradition and custom, dismissing opposition as rooted in ignorance. Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, a prominent local leader, emphasized the cultural significance of the union and asserted that the girl’s education had not been compromised.
Despite these assertions, public outcry has continued unabated as many have called on for government intervention . As it stands, the fate of the young bride remains uncertain, pending official response from Ghanaian authorities.
