The Nungua Mantse, Odaifio Welentsi III, has defended the marriage of Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII to a minor, citing biblical references and emphasizing the traditional requirement that the priest marries a virgin.
Odaifio Welentsi III justified the union by explaining the scarcity of virgin girls above the age of 9 years in Nungua, making the case of Naa Ayemoede, a minor, significant in meeting this customary demand.
He asserted that the marriage aligns with biblical principles and reflects the unchanging nature of Nungua and Ga culture.
The Nungua Mantse highlighted the challenges of finding virgins in modern times, stating that most girls above 15 years are no longer virgins due to sexual experiences.
Critics have condemned the marriage, questioning the justification of marrying a minor and raising concerns about child rights violations.
Opponents argue that cultural traditions should not be used to justify practices that exploit vulnerable individuals, especially children.
In response to the controversy, the Ghana police service has taken custody of the bride and her parents pending investigations.
Initial reports suggested the girl was 12 years old, but subsequent clarifications state she is 16, still below the legal marriage age of 18 according to Ghana’s constitution.
“We have been transparent with our dealings throughout the process. Everything has been opened to the public. Anyone who claims they have not seen what we are doing is the one who doesn’t want to see it.
“And so far, everything we have done is biblical. Have we not read it from the Holy Book? Is it not what is written in the Holy Book that we replicated? Or did we do something different?
“Some people witnessed it and they are not happy with us, they say the old man is married to a young child and plenty of other issues on the matter, and I tell them that, the Nungua and Ga culture is absolute and it will never change.
“If we say we would follow the tradition, be it a King or a Chief Priest if we say we would follow the tradition and look for a virgin for them, they should tell me where we can find a virgin in these modern times in Nungua,” he said in Ga in an exclusive interview with Afii TV.
The Nungua Mantse continued “In our current dispensation, most girls above 15 years are no longer virgins. They have all been taken sexually, so if we look around and see a girl who is still a virgin, then she is the best candidate.
“So, the current behaviour of girls these days has warranted this practice, however, it is biblical.”