The Nungua Traditional Authority has delivered a firm caution to the Ghana Police Service concerning Naa Okromo, the 12-year-old girl purportedly wedded to the Gborbu Wulomo, a 63-year-old priest.
In an urgent assembly convened to address the ongoing protective care of the girl, the traditional authority asserted Naa Okromo’s status as their queen.
Reports have surfaced indicating the girl’s pivotal role in the forthcoming Homowo Festival, prompting apprehensions among traditional leaders regarding her incapacity to fulfill her responsibilities while under protective custody.
In an interview with JoyNews, Rev D.N Gyasi Ankrah, the Director of Administration at the Office of the Gborbu Wulomo, emphasized that the police would bear accountability if any harm befalls Naa Okromo.
“This young lady who is our queen is under police protection. Therefore if the police have remarked that she is under police protection, where again do you want to find her? We are telling the world that she is our royal and if the police are saying they are taking care of her, then the police must be reminded that whatever happens to her, traditionally, we will deal with the police.
“If Gborbu has, through divine intervention taken our lady who is our queen, then it is the deity who has something to do with the queen, not Gborbu Wulomo as a person like people are speculating,” he said.
The Information Ministry reports that there have been no updates from the police regarding the investigations.
In a statement released by the Information Ministry on April 5th, the government, represented by the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Interior, and the Greater Accra Coordinating Council, affirmed its dedication to probing the issue and deciding on the necessary steps forward.
The statement highlighted that the Ministry of Gender has implemented essential measures to guarantee the safety of the child concerned.
“The child has been taken by the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to a place of safety. She is doing well and has been visited by the Minister Designate and other officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
“The Social Welfare Department under the Gender Ministry has made available counseling and other resources including the provision of a medical doctor and two caregivers to ensure the wellbeing of the child. One case worker has been assigned to the case to, among other things, ensure that all protocols regarding the maximum protection of the child are strictly adhered to,” part of the statement read.