The Minister-Designate for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has stated that Naa Okromo will be reunited with her parents today, Thursday, April 18, 2024.
The decision, according to her, follows advice from the Attorney-General’s office, while a “review of the docket” continues.
She also indicated that the mother of Naa Okromo has also been made to sign a bond to ensure that they will adhere to all children’s rights laws.
Furthermore, the minister-designate added that medical tests conducted on the child show she is “intact” and that she is not pregnant as well.
Addressing a joint-ministerial press briefing, the MP for Okaikwei South legislator said, “The counselling unit under the Ministry of Gender has taken the child through counselling.”
“The medical assessment of the child indicates that she is not pregnant and she has no immediate health concerns. Naa Okromo’s date of birth on records from the creche she attended indicates that she is 15 years old, and she was born on 18th July 2008,” she emphasised.
Dakoa Newman further stated that Naa Okromo will pursue her education, stressing that the child will be released to her parents.
“The Attorney-General has issued an interim report which is dated 18th April 2024 and has advised that in the best interest of the child and in accordance with Sections (2) and (5) of the Children’s Act, the child should be released to her parents pending their complete review of the docket.”
Background
Naa Okromo was allegedly married to 63-year-old Nungua Gborbu Wulomo, and has been under the protection of the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
According to the Nungua Traditional Council, Naa Okromo was 16 years old and was ‘wedded’ to 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, in a customary marriage ceremony on Saturday, March 30.
The Information Ministry, in a statement dated Friday, April 5, emphasised that the young Naa Okromo has been in the care of both the gender and the chieftaincy ministries since the police took her to safety.
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“The child has been taken by the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to a place of safety,” the statement said, adding, “She is doing well and has been visited by the Minister Designate and other officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.”
Also, the Social Welfare Department under the Gender Ministry made available counselling and other resources, including the provision of “a medical doctor and two caregivers to ensure the well-being of the child.”
