The International Federation of Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) has vehemently condemned the marriage between the Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, and Naa Yoomo Ayemuede alleged to be 16 years old.
The federation said that cultural child marriage is not only injurious but unlawful. FIDA stressed the fact that the mandatory age for marriage is eighteen years per the Constitution and “whether she is twelve years or sixteen years, she is still below the mandatory age.”
The Vice President of FIDA, Francisca Tete-Mensah criticized the marriage and called for stakeholder intervention.
“FIDA condemns the act of that marriage because, under our law, it is child marriage…Now you realize that this child needs to be protected under the laws of the Republic of Ghana. The constitution of Ghana is the supreme law and any other law that goes contrary to it must be declared void.”
She added that “Article 26, Clause 2 brings a restriction on our ability to exercise cultural rights. And it goes as follows, all customary practices that dehumanize or which are injurious to the physical well-being of a person are prohibited.
“We are saying that the Nungua cultural practice of child marriage is injurious to minors and so should be prohibited. FIDA is calling on the police, the Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare, and the Attorney General to make sure that they prosecute this matter in the court of law and grant justice to the minor.
“We are saying that the way they are flouting the Ghanaian law with all impunity should be stopped as a deterrent to other people emulating what they are doing.”
