‘You Can Bath In Korle Lagoon’
…Angel FM Presenter ‘Shades’ Nungua Chiefs After Invitation
Host of Angel FM’s morning show, Leo Mensah, popularly known as Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, has subtly responded to elders of the Nungua Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region, after the presenter was summoned.
The invitation issued by the Security Coordinator, Napoleon Stanley-Teye dated April 4, 2024, said the controversial presenter is being summoned as a result of what the elders call “false, unsavory and desecrating statements” against Nuumo Gbornu Wulomo-Shitse.
The meeting is slated for this Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11:00 am, at the palace of Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, who is also the Overlord of the Gadangme State, and King Odaifio Welentsi III, the Paramount Chief of Nungua Traditional Area.
Subtle Shades
But the presenter, hours after the invitation letter went viral, took to his Facebook page to write “I am INDOMITABLE PERIOD! You can bath in Korle Lagoon, if you don’t get it”.
With a laughing emoji, broadcaster also posted, “I laugh in capital letters” on Friday, a day after the invitation was issued.
Though the broadcaster, failed to mention any name, his brief posts, have attracted different replies with many, linking it to the invitation.
But The Anchor, cannot independently verify, if the presenter’s comment is in response to the invitation by the Nungua traditional leaders.
Invitation
Okatakyie, who is the host of the ‘Freedom’ morning show, is alleged to have made the disparaging statements on his show, following the alleged marriage ceremony between 63-year-old Gborbu Wulomo Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII and 16-year-old Naa Okromo at Nungua on March 30.
A portion of the invitation read in parts, “I have been instructed by the Elders of the Nungua Traditional Area to invite you to the palace concerning the false, unsavory, and desecrating statements you made against Nuumo Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, Overlord of the Gadangme State, and King Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of Nungua Traditional Area, during a radio show at Angel FM.
Your meeting with the Elders as scheduled for Friday 12th April at 11:00am at the Gbornu Wulomo-Shitse’s Palace (Nungua Gbornu Koo Naa)”.
Even though the letter has gone viral, it is unclear if Okatakyie will honour the invitation.
But the traditional elders have, however, urged the radio presenter to honour their invitation with utmost respect.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information in a statement on Friday, April 5, after a meeting with various stakeholders and sector ministries, said a “caseworker” has been appointed to see to the case involving the alleged marriage between a teenager to the 63-year-old at a ceremony at Nungua about two weeks ago.
Condemnations
In a related development, a Deputy Attorney-General, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, has condemned the alleged marriage.
According to her, irrespective of whether the girl, Naa Okromo, is currently 12 years old or is turning 16 years soon, the law strongly disapproves of her marriage to the 63-year-old priest.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, April 6, Mrs Dapaah stated, “Whether 12, 15 or 16, the law is clear if you look at section 14. And for me, I keep saying that this event is a good opportunity for us as Ghanaians to re-sensitize ourselves.
It is neither here nor there whether 12, whether 15 or 16 – of course, I’m mindful of Section 122 of Act 560 on the determination of the age of a child. It is key only for purposes of ensuring that Section 14 has not been breached and clearly, the argument being thrown out there whether, 12, 15 or 16 still does not meet the age criteria.”
Following the ceremony, the 63-year-old priest has faced severe criticism, with many stakeholders describing the act as barbaric, retrogressive, and an abuse of the child’s rights.
However, the office of the Gborbu Wulomo clarified that the 12-year-old was not married to the Wulomo but to the Gborbu deity.
Again, the Ga Dangme Council clarified that the relationship between the Gborbu priest and the 12-year-old girl is simply a betrothal and not a marriage.
In response to this, Mrs Dapaah condemned betrothal marriage, citing Section 14 of Act 560, which clearly defines who a child is until he/she turns 18 years old.
“Even Section 1, defines a child within the context of Act 560 as 18 so whether 12, 15 or 16 and if we are evoking Section 14, why are we discussing even 12, 15 or 16? But of course, as part of the prosecutorial process on evidence, it is important to determine the age only for the purpose of ensuring that the child is 18 or not but 12, 15 or 16, I’m afraid still doesn’t cut it,” she stressed.
The Deputy AG maintained that Section 1 and 14 of Act 560 defines a child as someone who is below 18 years, stating that if a child is below 18 years, there cannot be betrothal.
Threats
Also, the leadership of the Gborbu Wulomo shrine has threatened to sue the state for preventing their chief priestess, Naa Yomo Ayemuade, from completing her usual traditional customary right.
They are livid at the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare for keeping the priestess and her mother in their custody in the name of providing support for them while the matter is being investigated.
Ga Abola Piam Tunma We Royal Stool Dynasty family Dzaasetse, Nii Ayi Ana KonTeh I (Dr.), reacting to the public uproar on Onua FM EtifiNsem show questioned the move by the Police to keep Naa Yomo Ayemuade in their custody without a consultation or directive from the court.
He insisted that the Police Service has infringed on the priestess’ right and that the Gborbu Wulomo shrine will take actions to seek redress from the court.
“The Police just jumped into the case, captured the girl, kept her in a hotel and took her for a medical test without the consent of the parents”.
“Are you not also infringing on her right or have you at least thought about that,” he quizzed.
Nii Ayi Ana KonTeh, reaffirmed Gborbu Wulomo shrine’s decision to sue the state for keeping their queen unlawfully whilst depriving them from performing their customary right.
He has challenged the Police Service to rather go to the slum areas in Bukom, Gbese and save the teenagers, who are languishing on the streets instead of attacking their chief priestess who has no blemish.
Source: Anchorghana.com
