Mercy Larbi, Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on person Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has said unequivocally that any sort of child marriage is a criminal under the Children’s Act, whether involving a person or a deity.
Her comments follow the scandal surrounding the alleged marriage of 12-year-old Naa Okromo and Gborbu Wulomo Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, a 63-year-old priest, which has provoked indignation and criticism from a variety of sources.
Mrs Larbi addressed the topic on JoyNews’ Newsfile, emphasizing that child marriage in any form is illegal. She emphasized that, while some may try to rationalize such couplings by saying they are deities rather than people, the act remains a breach of the children’s rights and a criminal offense.
“Whether it’s to a deity or a human being or whatever, it’s a crime,” she said.
Mrs Larbi highlighted the covert character of such weddings, pointing out that offenders frequently shun public ceremonies in order to prevent identification by authorities. Instead, they make clandestine arrangements in which the child lives with the adult until they reach maturity, all while avoiding legal scrutiny.
“So you’ll see the child with the individual, and when the youngster reaches 18, they’ll do whatever they’re meant to. But from 12 years, you will notice that the child will be living with the person all this time because they know that if they do the marriage ceremony openly, everyone would hear and report to CHRAJ or the police,” she said.
Despite continued attempts to educate the public about the illegality and negative repercussions of child marriage, Mrs Larbi emphasized the need for more action to eradicate the practice, particularly in northern Ghana, where it is still common.
Echoing Mrs Larbi’s comments, Deputy Attorney-General Diana Asonaba Dapaah denounced Naa Okromo’s purported marriage to Gborbu Wulomo, claiming that such partnerships are expressly prohibited by law, regardless of the child’s age.
“It makes no difference if a youngster is 12, 15, or 16—of course, I am aware of Section 122 of Act 560, which governs the assessment of a child’s age. It is important simply for confirming that Section 14 has not been violated, and plainly, the argument being thrown out there, whether 12, 15, or 16, still does not meet the age criteria,” she explained.
Mrs. Dapaah emphasized the significance of keeping the legal concept of childhood until the age of 18, as stated in Section 1 of Act 560. She emphasized that age is critical in ensuring compliance with Section 14 of the same statute, which clearly forbids child betrothals.
