The controversy surrounding the reported marriage of a 12-year-old girl to the Nungua Gborbu Wulomo has elicited strong reactions from the public, with journalist Nana Aba Anamoah branding the act as pedophilia.
Amidst widespread condemnation of the reported marriage, Nana Aba Anamoah weighed in on the issue, denouncing the traditional priest as a pedophile. Commenting on a BBC report titled “Outrage as traditional Ghanaian priest, 63, marries 12-year-old girl,” Nana Aba Anamoah emphasized the seriousness of the situation, suggesting that the headline should explicitly label the act as pedophilia.
However, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, offered clarification regarding the age of the girl involved in the controversial marriage. Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Minister Boateng disclosed that while the girl is indeed a minor, she is not 12 years old as initially reported.
Minister Boateng explained that the girl is almost 16 years old, which, while still constituting a minor, differs from the initially reported age. He emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of the young girl, highlighting collaborative efforts between ministries to ensure her well-being.
“We seem to be unraveling some few things. For instance, the age of 12 which we were made to believe is incorrect. The child is almost 16 [but] still a minor,” Minister Boateng stated.
The discrepancy in the reported age underscores the complexity of the situation, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and protection of the rights of the girl involved. As public scrutiny intensifies, calls for legal and social intervention to address child marriage and protect vulnerable minors grow louder.