Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, has taken action against the traditional leader, Gborbu Wulomo, by petitioning the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for his arrest, investigation, and prosecution for marrying a 12-year-old girl.
Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, known as Gborbu Wulomo, faced widespread criticism after a video of his marriage to a 12-year-old girl, Naa Okromo, circulated online following the traditional ceremony held on March 30, 2024, in Nungua.
Defending his actions, Gborbu Wulomo claimed that the marriage did not entail the young girl fulfilling marital duties.
However, Francis-Xavier Sosu submitted a petition to the Director General of the CID on April 2, 2024, arguing that the marriage violates both local and international laws on child protection. He asserted that, according to Ghanaian law, a child under 18 cannot legally marry.
Highlighting Ghana's commitment to international conventions prohibiting child betrothals and marriages, Sosu referenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and Ghana's 1992 Constitution.
Sosu emphasized that the marriage not only violates international law but also Ghana's Children's Act of 1998, which sets the legal age limit for marriages at 18 years old.
In his petition, Sosu urged the CID to swiftly intervene to protect the rights and safety of children in Ghana, citing specific legal provisions and international obligations.
He concluded by referencing Article 16 of CEDAW, which affirms women's right to freely choose a spouse and condemns child betrothals and marriages, and reiterated Ghana's constitutional provisions safeguarding children from all forms of harm and exploitation.