The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has criticised the Nungua Traditional Council over a controversial marriage involving the Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII and a 12-year-old girl.
The NCCE in a statement described the marriage as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
The traditional marriage ceremony took place on March 30, 2024, which has caused public outrage, with many calling for the arrest of the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo who claimed the girl would not fulfil marital duties until she turns 18.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of NCCE, Kathleen Addy, dated April 2, 2024, the NCCE cited the Children’s Act of 1998, emphasising that the minimum age for marriage is eighteen years, and no child should be forced into betrothal, dowry transactions, or marriage.
“The NCCE wishes to remind the Ga Traditional Council that the Children’s Act, Act 560 of 1998, Section 13, (1&2) provides that “The minimum age of marriage of whatever kind shall be eighteen years”, the statement said.
Despite claims by the Nungua Traditional Council that the union was voluntary, the NCCE questioned how a pre-teen minor could consent to such an arrangement.
While Ghana’s Constitution encourages cultural practices, the NCCE urged the Traditional Council to review its practices under the laws and Constitution of Ghana, avoiding actions detrimental to Nungua’s youth.
“The 1992 Constitution of Ghana recognises and even encourages Ghana’s many ethnic groups to practice and extol their culture. However, the Commission calls on the Nungua Traditional Council to note that the same 1992 Constitution, in Article 39 also states that “…… traditional practices which are injurious to the health and well-being of the person are abolished”, Ms Addy stated.
The Commission called for intervention from the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and the Department of Social Welfare to safeguard the child’s best interests and eliminate child marriages from customary practices.
