Outrage as traditional Ghanaian priest, 63, marries 12-year-old girl
Outrage as traditional Ghanaian priest, 63, marries 12-year-old girl
Community leaders say critics do not understand their customs but there are calls for an investigation.
An influential traditional priest aged 63 has sparked an outrage in Ghana by marrying a 12-year-old girl.
The priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, married her in a customary ceremony held on Saturday.
In the face of criticism, community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.
The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18 and the prevalence of child marriage has declined, but it continues to happen.
According to the global campaigning NGO Girls Not Brides, 19% of girls in the country are married before they reach 18 and 5% get married before their 15th birthday.
Videos and photos of Saturday's elaborate event that was attended by dozens of community members have been widely shared on social media, triggering an outcry among many Ghanaians.
community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.
I think critics understand their traditions. They just don't agree with them. The law of the land doesn't agree with it.
The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18
So he is breaking the law. So jail then? No?
91community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.
While it's always good to be cognizant of cultural blinders, there comes a point where you can't hide behind customs and tradition. There are certain non negotiables we don't tolerate. Pedophilia is one of them.
24This is the real aim of the White Supremacists movement IMO. First the pedophile joined the ranks of the Christians now the Nazis are coming for their seat at the table. The white supremacists values blend in with the Christians but not as much. If it is one thing the incel white supremacy community wants its young sex slaves. I’ve heard stories of when it used to happen. If you are a poc vote like your life depends on it, because it does.
-6
He's a religious leader, so he has power and influence. Just like most countries, the courts cater to the powerful.
21
Ghana, where a consensual relationship between adults can get you a prison sentence, but noncing is a-ok.
68Just like God intended.
17
Bruh, that is gross.
61It's pretty normal among social elites.
Just about every 'popular' male ends up having sex with underage girls at some point.
-48It is more common than it should be, but not as common as you imply.
2
Paedophilia is never ok. If it's a traditional element of some culture, then that element needs to be left in the past.
37interesting that the article failed to cite the religion that Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII practices....
28It appears to be a local indigenous religion, not part of a major religion known elsewhere.
9
It is so shocking to see a shaman who is also a pedo.
24This shit happens anywhere. Anywhere. I wonder why BBC cares about it. Surely its not propaganda with second intentions
-17In an article about a disgusting POS abusing a minor, your concern is to shoot the messenger?
What are you, a pedo?
17I can think he and BBC are POS, burguermind
-10