The Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Esq, has submitted a petition to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, calling for the immediate arrest, of Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, commonly known as the Gborbu Wulomo, over allegations of child marriage.
The Honourable Francis Xavier Sosu also requested the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation, and prosecution of Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, the Ga traditional leader.
“The Humble petition of FRANCIS-XAVIER KOJO SOSU, Esq, the Member of Parliament in the Republic of Ghana for the Madina Constituency: I am a Ghanaian, Human rights lawyer and activist and a member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency.
“That, on the 1st of April, 2024, I read on several news portals to my disappointment, the marriage of Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII (Hereinafter called The Wulomo) to Miss Naa Okromo, a twelve (12) years old child (Hereinafter called the child)”.
Honorable Francis Xavier Sosu Esq., MP Madina Constituency
In his petition addressed to the Director General of the CID, Honorable Sosu, a renowned Ghanaian human rights lawyer, and activist, highlighted the gravity of the situation, labelling the act as a blatant breach of both local and international laws on child care and protection.
He pointed out that such conduct is criminal and cannot be condoned under any circumstances.
Furthermore, the Honorable Francis Xavier Sosu while justifying his position, recounted that Ghana, as a signatory to several international conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), is bound by obligations to uphold and protect the rights of children.
He argued that these conventions unequivocally denounce child betrothals and marriages, emphasizing the necessity of free and full consent in all marital unions.
Ghana’s Laws Prohibit Child Marriages
The opposition National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency further underscored Ghana’s domestic legislative framework, citing provisions in the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), and the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), which expressly prohibit child marriages and prescribe severe penalties for offenders.
The Honorable Sosu reacting to some purported traditional and religious justifications put forth in support of the alleged marriage, strongly asserted that Ghana’s constitution unequivocally prohibits any customary practices that dehumanize or endanger the physical and mental well-being of individuals.
He emphasized that such practices are unconstitutional and cannot supersede the laws of Ghana.
In addition, the renowned Human Right Lawyer emphasized that the marriage of a child under the age of eighteen is illegal, null, and void in the eyes of the law.
He specifically cited Section 14 of Ghana’s Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) which sets the legal age limit for marriages in Ghana at eighteen (18) years and expressly prohibits child marriage in Ghana to back his claims.
“1 wish to states that, in furtherance of the above, SECTION 109 OF THE CRIMINAL OFFENCES ACT (ACT 29) criminalizes compulsion of marriages.
” It states that ‘whoever by duress causes a person to marry against his/her will, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the punishment is a fine or imprisonment of up to three years’. It goes without saying that a child has no legal capacity to grant consent in such instances”.
Honorable Francis Xavier Sosu Esq., MP Madina Constituency
In light of the egregious nature of the allegations, Honorable Francis Xavier Sosu concluded his argument by emphasizing the need for the Criminal Investigative Department of the Ghana Police Service to exercise its powers of arrest, conduct a thorough investigation, and pursue potential charges of defilement and other relevant offenses against the perpetrators.
He also stressed the need for swift and expedited action to ensure the safety and protection of Ghanaian children across the country.
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