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.

92 points
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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?

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24 points

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.

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-6 points
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This is the real aim of the White Supremacists movement IMO. First the pedophile joined the ranks of the Christians now the Nazis are coming for their seat at the table. The white supremacists values blend in with the Christians but not as much. If it is one thing the incel white supremacy community wants its young sex slaves. I’ve heard stories of when it used to happen. If you are a poc vote like your life depends on it, because it does.

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21 points

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

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68 points

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

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17 points

Just like God intended.

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61 points

Bruh, that is gross.

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-47 points
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52 points

Bruh, that is gross.

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4 points

It is.

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14 points

Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t make it ok.

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1 point

Correct.

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10 points

You could have said that less creepy.

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2 points

How so?

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7 points
Removed by mod
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1 point

Reposting your own removed comment is not a way to win friends and influence people. Removed again and temp ban for ban evasion.

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6 points

I don’t think it’s really “about everyone”, it’s just that their offending rates follow more closely the percentage of people into it.

Remember most people don’t want underage partners to begin with.

Also, to everyone ragecommenting: the person didn’t say it’s alright, let’s not assume bad faith.

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3 points

It is more common than it should be, but not as common as you imply.

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37 points

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

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28 points
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9 points

It appears to be a local indigenous religion, not part of a major religion known elsewhere.

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