Ghanaian Religious Leader in His 60s Marries 12-Year-Old... Faces Global Backlash

Despite Legal Marriage Age Being 18, Underage Child Marriages Widespread
Netizens Express Outrage Over Inhumane Acts

A 63-year-old male religious leader in Ghana has sparked controversy by marrying a 12-year-old girl. On the 2nd, foreign media such as BBC and GhanaWeb News reported photos showing the wedding ceremony between religious leader Goboru Ulomo (63) and the 12-year-old girl held on the 30th of last month in Nonguwa, Ghana.

A 63-year-old male religious leader in Ghana has sparked controversy by marrying a 12-year-old girl. On the 2nd, foreign media including BBC and Ghana Web News reported photos showing the wedding ceremony of religious leader Goboru Ulomo (63) and the 12-year-old girl held on the 30th of last month in Nungua, Ghana.
[Photo by Ghana Web News]

These photos quickly spread through social networking services (SNS), prompting widespread criticism from numerous foreign media outlets and netizens. In response, members of this community claimed in interviews with local media that the public does not understand their customs and traditions. A community official told the BBC, "The role the girl assumes as a wife is a pure tradition and custom," adding, "This girl began preparing to become the leader's wife six years ago, but the process did not interfere with her education." The official also stated that the 12-year-old girl who got married plans to prepare for pregnancy and childbirth in the future.

However, some prominent figures in Ghana and the public expressed outrage, calling the marriage an inhumane act. As public anger surged, the local police unusually launched an investigation. The police stated, "We have identified and located the girl," and "Currently, the girl and her mother are under police protection. We are cooperating with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare to provide necessary support during the investigation."

Meanwhile, although the legal marriage age is 18, child marriage is widespread in Ghana and other African countries due to tradition and customs. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 12 million girls worldwide enter unwanted child marriages each year. According to an explanation posted on UNICEF’s website in 2022, child marriage has been declining recently. UNICEF stated, "Child marriage before the age of 18 fundamentally violates human rights and threatens the lives, welfare, and futures of girls worldwide."