Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, has shed light on the age of the girl who was married to the 63-year-old Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, a Ga priest.
According to the Minister, the young girl will, in July 2024, turn 16 years and not 12 as earlier reported. He, however, indicates the age difference is still huge even if the young girl is almost 16 as claimed.
“We seem to be unraveling some few things. For instance, the age of 12 which we were made to believe is incorrect. The child is almost 16 [but] still a minor,” he said on Accra-based Joy FM Tuesday.
The Minister has indicated that even though the young girl is a bit older than earlier reported, it did not dismiss the fact that the state needs to protect her since she is still a minor.
Meanwhile, in an interview with News 360 Tuesday, April 02, 2024, Mr. Asamoah Boateng explained that his ministry is collaborating with other ministries and agencies such as the Gender ministry and Social Welfare department to probe the marriage.
The Minister has also indicated that they will, among other things, ascertain the young girl’s real age using her birth certificate or records from her school to confirm or expose the lies.
His comment follows the purported marriage of Naa Okromo, 12, now addressed as Naa Yomo Ayemuede to the Gborbu Wulomo, a 63-year-old priest Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Nungua, a suburb of Accra.
Earlier reports identified Naa Okromo as a 12-year-old girl, causing an uproar amongst people with many civil society groups and individuals condemning the act and calling for the arrest of the priest.
Sosu petitions CID to arrest 63-year-old Ga priest for marrying a 12-year-old girl
Meanwhile, he said to fully grasp the matter, the culture and traditions of the Nungua people must be taken into consideration regarding the ceremony.
Mr. Asamoah Boateng explained that the traditional rite was performed about a week ago, and the outdooring occurred only on Saturday, March 30 but the marriage has not been consummated.
He urged the public to hold on with the call for the priest’s arrest until they understood the entire issue.
“Those who are calling for the arrest and all that, I will say hang on for a while. It’s an option that is available, I would not close it because that is not my job. The Ministry of the Interior will advise and the Attorney General will advise and I will give them the version I have heard, then we arrive at the conclusion on what is the next step,” he added.
The Chieftaincy Minister also noted that his outfit will be meeting the Gborbu Wulomo today, Wednesday, April 3, and by Thursday, April 4, he would be able to speak conclusively on the matter.
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