A recent customary marriage in Ghana has sparked controversy after Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, a 63-year-old high-ranking traditional priest, tied the knot with a 12-year-old girl. The event, which garnered significant attention on social media and stirred public outrage, occurred despite Ghanaian law setting the legal marriage age at 18 and efforts to reduce child marriages in the country.
The marriage ceremony, conducted according to the customs of the Nungua indigenous community in Accra, saw women instructing the young bride on her new role, fueling further disapproval from the public. While community leaders defend the marriage as tradition, critics demand its annulment and legal scrutiny of Mr. Tsuru’s actions.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of child marriage in Ghana, with organizations like Girls Not Brides pointing out that a significant percentage of Ghanaian girls marry before the age of 18. The girl involved in this marriage had been undergoing rites since the age of six, although assurances were made regarding her education.
Despite Mr. Tsuru’s significant role as a spiritual and cultural leader within his community, the marriage has faced considerable backlash, prompting calls for government intervention to address this contentious union.
Source: yardhype.com
