The Gborbu Wulomo shrine in Nungua is defending the marriage ceremony involving Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII’s and a minor that has sparked public uproar.
People are calling for the 63-year-old traditional priest to be arrested and prosecuted following the Saturday, March 30, 2024, ceremony which brought Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII and 12-year-old Naa Yomo Ayemuade together as couples.
The ceremony, after it became viral on social media over the weekend, has spiraled controversy with many calling for the traditional priest’s arrest and prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Gborbu Wulomo temple has been saying that the 12-year-old girl has been designated to attend to one of the 99 deities of the Ga-Adangbe group, which necessitates her being a virgin.
The ceremony, which according to the spokesperson for the temple, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, began six years ago, was made public to ensure the young girl’s purity is maintained in order to protect her from sexual violation by men.
He has been explaining at a press conference that the role the young girl is expected to perform within the shrine is traditionally reserved for virgins.
He indicates that those criticising the practice and calling for the prosecution of the Wulomo lack insight on the Ga-Dangme tradition, something they should have consulted before laying bare their criticisms.
“When somebody makes such a call it comes from a point of ignorance. Because first, you need to come closer and ask so that you will appreciate what it is but not take hook line, and sinker what is being said,” he said at the press conference Monday, April 1, 2024.
“Because it goes beyond what is being preached out there. It is deeper than what is being preached. It is deeper for our spirituality,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chieftaincy Ministry says it is probing the circumstances surrounding the controversial customary marriage.
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