The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) has strongly denounced the marriage ceremony involving a 63-year-old Ga priest and a 12-year-old girl.

Following widespread criticism sparked by a video showing Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, also known as the Gborbu Wulomo, marrying a young girl named Naa Okromo, the PSG expressed deep concern over the situation.

The traditional marriage ceremony, which occurred on Saturday, March 30, took place in Nungua.

In response to the backlash, Gborbu Wulomo defended his actions by asserting that the girl would not be expected to fulfil marital duties.

However, in a statement issued on April 1, 2024, the PSG stressed on the rights of the young girl under the Children's Act.

The PSG's stance underscores the need for heightened awareness and action to address child marriage and safeguard the rights and well-being of children in Ghana.

“The PSG strongly condemns any act or perception or facilitation of Child Marriage. On the right to refuse betrothal and marriage, the Children’s Act, 1998 states: No person shall force a child (age less than 18 years) to be betrothed, to be the subject of a dowry transaction or to be married.”

The PSG lamented the prevalence of child marriage perpetrated by influential figures within communities, emphasising its potential to normalise and perpetuate deviant behaviours such as paedophilia.

“The perceived acceptance of child marriages and the open brazen approval or defence of the practice by influential leaders of the community have the potential to embolden certain deviant behaviours like paedophilia. Child marriages are dangerous. Both real and so-called arranged informal unions where the child is supposedly a symbolic wife and not expected to perform any marital duties including conjugal duties are dangerous."

"The preventable damage to the child’s development, reproductive and mental health and education can be irreversible and generational,” part of the statement said.