A traditional ceremony in the heart of Ghana has stirred anger, drawing global attention and condemnation after a 63-year-old married a 12-year-old girl.

Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, a 63-year-old famous traditional priest, married a 12-year-old girl at a customary wedding, causing uproar and raising significant concerns about cultural traditions and child care.

PHOTO | COURTESY the ceremony

Despite attempts to eliminate them, child marriage remains an issue in a country where the legal marriage age is 18 years old. According to Girls Not Brides, a well-known global non-governmental organization, a large number of girls in Ghana marry before reaching maturity, underlining the significance of tackling this issue.

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The lavish event, attended by many community members, prompted considerable criticism as videos and images were shared on social media sites. Concerning words made throughout the occasion appeared to validate the young bride's suitability for marital responsibilities, eliciting considerable outrage and requests for action.

PHOTO | COURTESY the ceremony

Critics have been vociferous in calling for the marriage to be dissolved and for a full probe of Mr. Tsuru's activities. However, representatives from the Nungua indigenous group, including the bride and the priest, have supported the wedding, citing long-standing traditions and practices.

Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, a recognized community leader, has underlined the need to know the cultural background of the marriage. He has also underlined the long-standing customs that regulate such unions and promised that the girl's education would not be jeopardized by her function as the priest's wife.

As the negotiations progress, the young bride is expected to undergo further traditional ceremonies to formalize her place in society. According to local media sources, this treatment will prepare her for the obligations associated with her new married status, including motherhood.

Mr. Tsuru, also known as a "Gborbu Wulomo," or traditional high priest, holds tremendous spiritual power in the Nungua indigenous group. His involvement in executing crucial rituals and preserving cultural customs emphasises the situation's intricacies.