The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) is calling for the annulment of the reported marriage between a 63-year-old traditional ruler, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII in Nungua and 12-year-old Naa Okromo as it violates the fundamental human rights of the child.
In an open letter signed by the convenor, Prof. Akosua Darkwah, NETRIGHT described the news of the marriage, which took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, as disappointing and distressful. They said the justification by the Nungua Traditional Council that the practice is an age-old act is condemnable and should not be entertained in this 21st Century.
The group said the marriage poses risks to the child, including social, physical and psychological. It said “When girls become brides before they can decide for themselves, this limits their agency and autonomy and seriously undermines their well-being and ability to reach their full potential,” thus, trapping them in perpetual poverty. It added that such girls receive less education and are at the risk of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
According to NETRIGHT, the shocking event as reported, is an affront to the laws of Ghana and international treaties which forbid child marriages, and must not be allowed to stand. It appealed to “the Council of Chiefs to call for the annulment of both the betrothal and the marriage of Naa Okromo with immediate effect”.
“The time has come for us as a people to respect the laws of the land”, the statement said, and urged that such practices must be nibbed in the bud to ensure that women and girls enjoy their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
NETRIGHT further called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to “institutionalise a system for monitoring the protection of this child against any further infringement on her rights as a child”. It said it is important to make communities safer for women and girls to promote their rights and wellbeing.
The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana is a national coalition of 179 CSOs and over 300 individual members which focuses on addressing challenges affecting women, building their capacity and advocating for their rights. It has focal points across all regions in Ghana which are responsible for implementing various programmes for the benefit of women and girls.
