The Office of Gborbu Wulomo has issued a stern warning to the police, stating that the police will face their wrath should anything happen to their 13-year-old queen, Naa Okromo, who recently married 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII.
Speaking at a press conference, an administrator at the Office of Gborbu Wulomo, Rev. D.N. Gyasi Ankra, delivered the threat after the Ghana Police Service in Nungua placed the 13-year-old and her mother under police protection.
“The police says that the young lady who is our queen is under police protection, therefore, if the police have remarked that she is under police protection. 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, then traditionally we will deal with the police,” he added.
However, the police has indicated that, it collaborating with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, alongside the Department of Social Welfare, to ensure the young girl receives essential support during the ongoing investigation.
Gborbu Wulomo faced backlash when a video of the marriage ceremony surfaced online, which took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Nungua.
According to the Spokesperson of Gborbu Wulomo the young girl would not be required to fulfill marital responsibilities “until the fourth ritual is performed.
He added that the “Wulomo will not have any sexual relations with her as he will have to wait until she is mature or she reaches the legal age of marriage and childbirth”.
Meanwhile, the Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) strongly condemned the marriage ceremony, emphasizing that it violates the Children’s Act of 1998, which prohibits forcing a child under the age of 18 into marriage.
However, the GaDangme Council clarified that the relationship between the traditional Ga priest and the 12-year-old girl is a betrothal, not a marriage.
The Council expressed support for Gborbu Wulomo’s stance, citing initial reports that suggested another ceremony awaited the girl to prepare her for procreation.
“Important to clarify that the traditional ruler has stated that the relationship with the underage girl is a betrothal and not a marriage. This distinction to us has altered the legal implications.”
“We are inclined to side with the Gborbu Wulomo since the original reportage made the point that there was another ceremony that awaited the girl to purify and prepare her for procreation.”
We will deal with the Police… – Rev. D.N. Gyasi Ankra (Admin. Office of Gborbu Wulomo) speaks at press conference addressing the controversy surrounding the alleged child marriage between 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo and 12-year-old girl.#GHOneNews pic.twitter.com/MTVH8OyE2p
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) April 2, 2024