A Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mercy Larbi has firmly asserted that any form of child marriage, whether involving a human or a deity, is illegal according to the Children’s Act.
Her statement follows the uproar over the alleged marriage between 12-year-old Naa Okromo and a 63-year-old priest, sparking widespread condemnation.
During an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mrs Larbi stressed that child marriage is unacceptable under the law, dismissing attempts to justify such unions by invoking deities.
“Whether it’s to a deity or a human being or whatever, it’s a crime,” she affirmed.
Mrs Larbi highlighted the secretive nature of these marriages, often conducted covertly to evade legal scrutiny, with the child living with the adult until adulthood.
Despite efforts to raise awareness about the illegality of child marriage, Mrs Larbi emphasized the need for further action, particularly in northern Ghana, where it remains prevalent.
Deputy Attorney-General Diana Asonaba Dapaah also condemned the alleged marriage, emphasizing that the law prohibits such unions, regardless of the child’s age.
“It is neither here nor there whether 12, 15 or 16—of course, I’m mindful of Section 122 of Act 560 on the determination of a child’s age. It is key only for purposes of ensuring that Section 14 has not been breached, and clearly, the argument being thrown out there, whether 12, 15 or 16, still does not meet the age criteria,” she said.
Mrs Dapaah stressed the importance of upholding the legal definition of childhood until the age of 18, as outlined in Section 1 of Act 560, to ensure compliance with Section 14, which prohibits child betrothals.