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submitted 7 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

An influential traditional priest aged 63 has sparked an outrage in Ghana by marrying a 12-year-old girl.

The priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, married her in a customary ceremony held on Saturday.

In the face of criticism, community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.

The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18 and the prevalence of child marriage has declined, but it continues to happen.

According to the global campaigning NGO Girls Not Brides, 19% of girls in the country are married before they reach 18 and 5% get married before their 15th birthday.

Videos and photos of Saturday's elaborate event that was attended by dozens of community members have been widely shared on social media, triggering an outcry among many Ghanaians.

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[-] xePBMg9@lemmynsfw.com 92 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.

I think critics understand their traditions. They just don't agree with them. The law of the land doesn't agree with it.

The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18

So he is breaking the law. So jail then? No?

[-] assassin_aragorn@lemmy.world 24 points 7 months ago

community leaders have said people do not understand their customs and tradition.

While it's always good to be cognizant of cultural blinders, there comes a point where you can't hide behind customs and tradition. There are certain non negotiables we don't tolerate. Pedophilia is one of them.

[-] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 21 points 7 months ago

He's a religious leader, so he has power and influence. Just like most countries, the courts cater to the powerful.

[-] Amputret@lemmy.dbzer0.com 68 points 7 months ago

Ghana, where a consensual relationship between adults can get you a prison sentence, but noncing is a-ok.

[-] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 17 points 7 months ago

Just like God intended.

[-] eran_morad@lemmy.world 61 points 7 months ago
[-] Tamoato@lemmy.world 37 points 7 months ago

Paedophilia is never ok. If it's a traditional element of some culture, then that element needs to be left in the past.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 24 points 7 months ago

It is so shocking to see a shaman who is also a pedo.

this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2024
292 points (98.0% liked)

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