The International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA-Ghana), has condemned the marriage between Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, and a 12-year-old girl, Naa Okromo in Nungua.

According to FIDA-Ghana, the union between the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo and the minor raises serious legal issues of concern, regarding cultural rights and practices with their limitations under the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

In a press statement signed by the Vice President of FIDA-Ghana, Francisca Tete-Mensah on Tuesday, April 2, the group called for a close look into the endorsement of child marriage in the Nungua Wulomo customary marriage.

The group stated that child marriage is offensive to the provisions of the 1992 constitution and the Children’s Act of Ghana.

“Whatever justification for the customary practice for child marriage traditions or custom of the Nungua community, it is offensive to the provisions of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Children’s Act of Ghana."

“It must, therefore, be frowned upon and declared injurious to the society to ensure the well-being and rights of individuals, particularly the protection of minors," parts of the statement read.

FIDA-Ghana urged the Ghana Police Service to work with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to bring all those involved in child marriage to justice.

“We further call for safeguarding measures to be put in place by the authorities, as a deterrent to deviant behaviours of those who act, contrary to the law and against acceptable norms of our society, under the guise of upholding tradition or customary practices."

“The government should also strengthen the various governmental institutions involved in the protection of minors’ rights, to prevent any recurrence of situations of child marriage, with such impunity,” part of the statement read.

Read the full statement below.