Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has said that he cannot join social media in condemning the controversial customary marriage between the 36-year-old Gbornu Wulomo of Nungua when he is not privy to the facts of the matter.
In an interview on News360 yesterday, [Tuesday, April 2], the minister noted that, as much as traditional authorities have the right to perform their rites, where such rituals conflict with the laws of the land, the latter must hold sway.
“I am concerned that there is a minor we are dealing with here. My number one job is to secure the welfare and protection of a minor. It is not a condemnation of something I do not understand.
“My job involves traditional authorities who are part of the development of this country and my job is also to oversee the traditional, customary and all that. So, I cannot join the social media condemnation when I don’t understand the facts,” said Mr Asamoah Boateng in response why his outfit has yet to officially condemn the incident.
“So, the first thing I did was to establish the facts and get my colleague ministers to ensure we have inter-ministerial coordination,” he added.
The chieftaincy minister said he is in touch with his colleague ministers whose mandates have a bearing on the issue, to resolve it.
“I have managed to locate where she is with my colleague minister-designate for Women, Gender and Social Protection,” he said.
He further disclosed that he has been in touch with “my other colleagues, Attorney-General and Interior”, adding, “We have had a meeting this afternoon. I have taken the next step to discuss this matter with the Nungua Mantse and his elders and also with the Wulomo.”
Read more: Controversial customary marriage: Kpebu calls for psychological help for Naa Okromo
The minister further clarified that none of her child’s rights have been violated.
“Her rights have never been violated. there are children whose rites are performed on them immediately at birth and others even in the womb because they are future queens, kings and priests and priestesses. Have their rites been infringed upon?” he quizzed.
Naa Yoomo Ayemuede has been in the care of older women known as Godmothers for six years, preparing her for adulthood as a queen.
According to Nungua Mankralo Tetse Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa, the celebrant, representing purity, has been helping the chief priest attend to the 99 deities for the past 6 years.
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“This woman sitting next to me is the 2nd stool wife to the Gborbu Wulomo. She is over 90yrs. Are they saying the Wulomo will engage in what they are concerned about (sex) with her? It’s merely for traditional purposes and Naa Yoomo Ayemuede is no different. The role she plays is mainly required of a virgin,” he said at a press briefing from the chiefs’ palace.
The post I cannot join social media condemnation when I don’t understand the facts – Chieftaincy Minister on marriage between teenage girl and 63-year-old chief priest first appeared on 3News.
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