Underage Nungua Bride Returned To Family After Investigations: "Her Parents Have Signed A Bond”

Underage Nungua Bride Returned To Family After Investigations: "Her Parents Have Signed A Bond”

  • The 15-year-old Nungua girl suspected to have been an underage bride will be released to her parents
  • The girl was initially reported to be 12 when news of the wedding involving the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo broke
  • A rep of the Gborbu-Wulomo shrine who spoke to YEN.com.gh declined to give details on the whereabouts of the girl

The 15-year-old Nungua girl suspected to have been an underage bride will be released to her parents after a directive by the Attorney General.

This follows investigations into whether she had been abused.

Underaged nungua girl released to family
Dakoa Newman (R). Source: Dakoa Newman
Source: Facebook

Minister Designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection Dakoa Newman announced the development at a press conference, saying her family would sign a bond.

The attorney general's office issued an interim report advising the release of the girl pending their complete review of the case.

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“Thus, the child will be reunited with her family today, April 18, 2024, after her parents have signed a bond,” she stated.

The Office of the Gborbu-Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, at a press briefing on Friday, April 12, said they were expecting the arrival of Naa Okromo to commence the performance of traditional rites on Sunday, April 14, 2024, ahead of the Homowo festivities.

The girl was initially reported to be 12 when news of the wedding involving the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo broke.

Following the ministry's announcement, there was some agitation from some Nungua residents over the location of the girl.

A rep of the Gborbu-Wulomo shrine who spoke to YEN.com.gh declined to give details on the whereabouts of the girl but said it would rely on the government account.

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"The gender ministry has given a statement and that has to be accepted by all. They deal with the young lady, and there is nothing to be said again," the rep said.

Defence from Nungua shrine

The marriage held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, sparked outrage and prompted calls for the prosecution of the traditional priest.

The Gborbu Wulomo shrine at Nungua defended the wedding, saying the girl will not have sexual relations with the priest.

Despite the customary wedding, he said the girl will continue in school until she is mature enough to decide to have sexual relations with the Gborbu Wulomo.

The Administrative Office of the Gborbu Wulomo later said the wedding was between an underaged girl and the Gborbu deity.

Police also investigating incident

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Ghana Police Service was investigating the controversial marriage between an underage girl and the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo.

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The police says it was working with the appropriate agencies, including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, to get the needed support.

Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu has also petitioned the police to arrest and prosecute the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.