The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has issued a warning to the Nungua Traditional Council over their defence of the child marriage or betrothal between a 12-year-old girl to a 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo of Nungua, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII.
According to the commission, it is a violation of the constitution even if the council claims it not marriage but only a betrothal.
The NCCE reminded the Ga Traditional Council that the Children’s Act, Act 560 of 1998, clearly stipulates that the minimum age of marriage is eighteen years and prohibits forcing a child into betrothal, dowry transactions, or marriage.
The commission urged the Nungua Traditional Council to align its practices with the law and constitution.
Section 14 of the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) provides the right to refuse betrothal and marriage:
(I) A person shall not force a child (a) to be betrothed;
(b) to be the subject of a dowry transaction; or
(c) to be married.
(2) The minimum age of marriage of whatever kind is eighteen years.
Section 15 of the Act stipulates that a person who contravenes section 14(2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
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