63-year-old traditional priest weds 12-year-old girl

A controversial marriage between a 63-year-old influential traditional priest and a 12-year-old girl has stirred outrage in Ghana.

Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII conducted the customary ceremony on Saturday, sparking widespread criticism despite community leaders defending the union as a matter of tradition.

Ghana’s legal age for marriage is 18, yet child marriages persist, with 19% of girls marrying before 18 and 5% before 15. Videos and photos of the event circulated on social media, drawing condemnation.

During the ceremony, elders advised the girl on wifely duties and enhancing her appeal to her husband, intensifying public outcry.

Calls for dissolution of the marriage and investigation of Mr. Tsuru have emerged.

However, Nungua community leaders maintain the marriage is rooted in tradition and hasn’t hindered the girl’s education. The girl is expected to undergo another customary ceremony to prepare her for marital responsibilities.

Mr. Tsuru, a respected traditional high priest, holds significant spiritual authority within the Nungua community.

While Ghana recognizes customary marriages, child marriages under cultural pretext are prohibited by law, yet government response to the controversy remains pending.