Marriage of 12-year-old : Gender Ministry deserves commendation for swift intervention, says Bright Appiah

The executive director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah, Bright Appiah, has commended the Gender Ministry and Social Welfare Department for their swift intervention leading to the placing of the 12-year-old girl married to Gborbu Wulomo under police protection.

Videos and pictures of Saturday’s customary wedding ceremony between the girl and the priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, went viral on social media, angering many Ghanaians.

In a statement on Tuesday (2 April), the police said it is collaborating with the Gender Ministry and Social Welfare Department to provide the girl with the necessary support while an investigation into the matter continues.

“The Ghana Police Service has identified and located the 12-year-old girl who is alleged to have been married to the 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo in Nungua, Accra.”

“The girl and her mother are currently under police protection. The Ghana Police Service is working with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare to provide her with the necessary support while the matter is being investigated,” the statement said.

However, speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (2 April), Appiah said the intervention by the Gender Ministry and Social Welfare Department was apt.

“I think that the intervention by the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare Department is a very good step and they went further to secure protection for the child and mother. And I think that is what we were expecting from a state institution,” Appiah said.

“We need to commend them for doing that and making sure that whatever there is that we need to know in respect to this particular case, they will also launch a full investigation into it so that we bring the matter to rest,” he added.

Listen to Bright Appiah in the attached audio clip below: 

Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra

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