He believes that locating and removing Mr. Seidu from the area will ease the tension.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, the Minister expressed uncertainty about how Mr. Seidu entered Bawku but stressed the need for his voluntary departure.

“The gentleman, Abagre Seidu, must understand that his very presence is the reason behind all this unrest. If I were in his position, I would advise myself. He has seen his people, and they are fine. We don’t need a state of emergency to facilitate his exit. Just as he found a way in, he must find a way out, and that is what I expect him to do,” he remarked.

He indicated that anyone whose presence fuels instability, regardless of their identity, should be made to leave the area.

The Minister ruled out the need for a state of emergency, stating that the situation is under control due to the curfew already in place.

However, in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Mamprusi Municipality, Issahaku Anineyaw Somo Lucky, expressed doubt that merely removing a rival chief in Bawku will curb the resurgence of violence in the community.

According to him, the situation would require more consultation with stakeholders to determine the best way forward.

The MCE feared that any other move could aggravate the situation.

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The 12-second video captures the President approaching some traditional leaders at a gathering, reportedly at a funeral.

The President and one of his guards were seen signaling the chiefs to rise before he exchanged a handshake with them.

While the exact location of the video was not known, the incident has sparked public reactions with many criticizing the president while others slammed the chiefs.

This is because in some cases, some chiefs sit down to exchange pleasantries from the President as a sign of respect for tradition.

This incident brought into the picture a similar one where the President was seen asking the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, to ask some chiefs to be upstanding while the national anthem was being played at a public event.

In a statement signed by the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng on Tuesday, April 30 about the recent incident, he said the President’s request “is not intended to undermine the dignity or autonomy of traditional leaders.

“Rather, it is a recognition of their esteemed role in Ghanaian society by embracing the Head of State, thereby showing brotherly love and mutual respect” the statement noted.

“It is also remembered at all times that the Constitution, as set out in Article 57 (2), states that, “the President shall take precedence over all other persons in Ghana”. Indeed, the President is the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces of Ghana, and is therefore regarded as the foremost representative of the nation both domestically and internationally.”

It added that “chiefs have been asked to accord respect to the President, by standing up to greet him at public events.”

According to the Ministry, “On no occasion has the request for chiefs to stand up to greet him been made within the confines of their palaces because he recognizes the sanctity of their ancestral spaces.

“Instead, the protocol where at public events, chiefs rise to greet him as indeed is stated in the constitution, is meant to give credence to this unique national provision. This dynamic illustrates a harmonious blend of modern governance with the rich tapestry of Ghana’s cultural heritage.”

The statement further clarified that, during the President’s visit to Damongo on Saturday, 27th April 2024, at no point was the Yagbonwura asked to stand up and greet the President.
“As Minister, I was with the President at the event, and, as seen clearly on videos, the president, beaming with smiles, walked over and paid homage to the Yagbonwura, who was the host of the event in Damongo. The general public is urged to avoid this deliberate and misleading piece of propaganda which is being distributed by mischief makers,” the statement noted.

The Ministry reaffirmed President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to upholding Ghanaian cultural values and fostering harmonious relations with the nation.

“The tradition of showing respect for authority, including the request for chiefs to stand when greeting the President at public events, serves as a testament to Ghana’s rich heritage and traditions” the statement concluded.

He clarified that, the purported video ceremony of the 63-year-old priest to the teenage girl was a traditional rite.

Briefing the media on the update of the issue on Thursday, April 18, Mr Boateng said Naa Okromo was not married to the Gborbu Wulomo as initially speculated.

He said, “It was a ritual which she had been initiated into since age six. All they did was elevate her status to a queen mother of that deity. So there was no marriage.

“There were some incidents of MCs embellishing it…but there was nothing like a marriage so if they say she was married underage, it didn’t happen.”

Responding to calls for the government to prosecute the 63-year-old priest because the ceremony was perceived as a child marriage, the Chieftaincy Minister said if there was no marriage, there was no need to prosecute persons involved in the ceremony.

On her side, the Gender Minister-Designate, Darkoa Newmann, stated that Naa Okromo is 15 years old according to her birthdate.

She clarified that medical tests showed the girl was not pregnant, as earlier speculated.

“The medical assessment of the child indicates that she is not pregnant, she has no immediate health concern.

“Naa Kromor’s date of birth on records at her crèche and primary schools she attended indicates that she is 15 years old, and she was born on the 18th of July 2008.

“The child will be reunited with her family after the parents have signed a bond,” Darkoa Newmann said.

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Addressing the issue on JoyNews’ The Probe, Mr. Boateng clarified that the event captured in a circulating video was actually a traditional rite, not a marriage ceremony as initially portrayed.

He explained, “During the event, a lot of things were said, and the information came out as if they were marrying the girl to the Wulomo [Gborbu Wulomo Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII].”

In response to public concern, Mr. Boateng disclosed that his Ministry, in collaboration with the Gender Ministry and the Attorney General’s office, swiftly engaged with the traditional authorities of Nungua and the Ga priest involved in the ceremony.

Through these discussions, it was established that there were no intentions of engaging in carnal relations with the young girl, emphasizing the paramount importance of her welfare.

Taking decisive action, Mr. Boateng and his team coordinated with the police to ensure the safe removal of the minor from the Nungua Community.

As investigations into the matter progress, Mr. Boateng has pledged to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies and local communities to ensure justice and accountability prevail.

Additionally, Mr. Boateng refuted claims that the girl involved was only 12 years old, asserting that she is, in fact, 16 years old, as opposed to initial reports.

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According to him, this is to determine whether there was an intention to abuse the rights of the minor.

Over the weekend, the 63-year-old Ga priest also known as Gborbu Wulomo allegedly carried out the traditional marriage ceremony involving a 12-year-old girl.

Following widespread criticism from the public and concerns from some legislators regarding the violation of the child’s human rights, the Gborbu Wulomo has denied these claims.

According to them, 12-year-old has been designated to attend to one of the 99 deities of the Ga-Adangbe group, which necessitates her being a virgin.

This requirement led to the decision to publicly conduct the marriage ceremony to ensure her purity was maintained and to safeguard her from sexual violation by men.

Mr Boateng said this new angle gives a different perspective to the ceremony, and until they know the exact nature of the ceremony, not much can be done about it.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on April 2, the Chieftaincy Minister said he was adopting collaborative efforts to ascertain the facts surrounding the event.

“We want to establish that there has not been contact so that if they are saying the betrothal then we will understand but if there has been contact with the gentleman then it goes beyond that. That is marriage, which the law frowns on. If the tradition contradicts the statutory, we are dealing with the statutory, a modern public. Anyone who goes contrary to the law will be brought to book,” he said.

Touching on the calls for the arrest of the traditional priest, he said his outfit, along with other key stakeholders, are working around the clock to ensure they get to the root of the purported marriage.

Meanwhile, he said there are plans to meet with the Ga priest, but he is informed that traditionally, he cannot cross the Lagoon and was therefore considering other alternatives.

Meanwhile, the police has already disclosed that both the mother and the child had been located and placed under protection.

The press release emphasised that swift action has been taken to ensure the safety and security of the young girl and her mother.

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According to him, even if the girl is almost 16 years as claimed, the age difference is still too vast.

“We seem to be unraveling some few things. For instance, the age of 12 which we were made to believe is incorrect. The child is almost 16 [but] still a minor,” he said.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, April 2, Mr Boateng clarified that although she was a bit older, it did not dismiss the fact that she is still a minor and the state must protect her rights,.

He noted that his outfit in collaboration with other ministries intended to protect the rights of the young girl.

Among other things, they will also ascertain the young girl’s real age using birth certificate for the accurate or records from her school to confirm or expose the lies.

His comment follows the purported marriage of Naa Okromo, 12, now addressed as Naa Yomo Ayemuede to the Gborbu Wulomo, a 63-year-old priest over the weekend in Nungua.

Earlier reports identified Naa Okromo as a 12-year-old girl but following this speculations, many civil society groups have raised concerns about the barbaric nature of the act. Others have also called for the arrest of the priest.

Meanwhile, he said to fully grasp the matter, the culture and traditions of the Nungua people must be taken into consideration regarding the ceremony.

Mr Boateng explained that the traditional rite was performed about a week ago, and the outdooring occurred only on Saturday, March 30 but the marriage has not been consummated.

He urged the public to hold on with the call for the priest’s arrest until they understood the entire issue.

“Those who are calling for the arrest and all that, I will stay hang on for a while. It’s an option that is available I would not close it because that is not my job. The Ministry of the Interior will advise and the Attorney General will advise and I will give them the version  I have heard. Then we arrive at the conclusion on what is the next step,” he added.

The Chieftaincy minister added he would meet the Gborbu Wulomo tomorrow April 3 and by Thursday, April 4, he would be able to speak conclusively on the matter.

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Ahead of the governing party’s presidential primaries, various arguments for and against the two main contenders, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen have emerged.

In the case of Dr Bawumia, while many have berated him for the ailing Ghanaian economy considering the significant role he played before and after the NPP came to power, there are concerns within the party and among some Ghanaians about his religious status and how that could affect his electability at the national polls.

Although Ghana is a secular state, the proponents of this argument believe that with 70 per cent of the population being Christian, a Muslim presidential candidate may find it extremely difficult to win a presidential election, although Islam is the second largest religion in Ghana.

But the former Mfantsiman West MP who has emphatically stated his support for the candidature of Dr Bawumia, is convinced that the party can surmount this challenge should he emerge as the presidential candidate.

Speaking on Citi TV, he argued that once Ghanaians have lived together peacefully despite religious and tribal differences, that should not be an impediment to Dr Bawumia once he has proven his ability to lead the country into prosperity.

“I am trying not to be the spokesperson for Dr Bawumia. That’s an issue that I have heard, but I think that’s something we can explain and we can work it out. We have lived together peacefully, both Christians and Muslims, Buddhists, and even the traditionalists, and I haven’t heard any fight anywhere.

“So when people say he’s a Muslim, I ask and so? That’s his belief, I am a Christian and I like him. We are building a nation, and so we should rise above the tribal and religious arguments and see ourselves as one people, and focus on somebody who can lead us into the prosperity we’re looking for,” he stated.

On the matter of the ailing Ghanaian economy and how that could scuttle Dr Bawumia’s chances, Mr Boateng said the economy was in good standing until the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.

“Before COVID hit us, our economic indicators were all high. It’s a known fact that the economy wasn’t as bad before COVID hit us. If you look at the trend, we are performing better than most countries now. When you go down into almost a recession, it will take a while to bounce back. It’s not the borrowing, it’s a question of things not working the way we wanted it,” he argued.

The Minister said Dr Bawumia has proven to have the strength and character to lead the NPP and become the President after 2024.

“It’s Alan and Bawumia who are the leading contenders. Of course, there are others including my own brother Kennedy Agyapong. For me, I don’t belong to A or B, although I can tell you for a fact that I will prefer Bawumia’s side.

“I believe that he [Bawumia] has the character and the strength, and he’s learned on the job very quickly, and he also comes in as very humble and down to earth who embraces everybody.

“And in politics, that kind of trait is very key and people must be able to relate to you, so that’s what I think, but the delegates will decide. It is known in the party that I am on his [Bawumia’s] side,” he noted.

The former Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) added that “Looking at what he’s done since he came into the limelight as a running mate and as a vice, he’s one of those people I have seen in politics who has matured very fast and quick and smart. And he’s got the strength and the character to withstand the pressures.”

“And I also remember that for 2016, winning was partly due to him [Bawumia]. I will give him a bigger chunk of it. He ran the campaign and he was on the attack.

“And when you’re in the political arena, you must have the stomach to be on the front foot and he’s on the front foot. The others I don’t want to comment on, because I am only talking about the one that I think should be given the nod to lead the party.”

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Otumfuo believes this will help issues in the sector to be prioritised in the government’s development agenda.
 
He also wants politicians to stop infiltrating the chieftaincy institution for their parochial interest.

Otumfuo made the comments when the Chieftaincy Minister, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The Asantehene wants the Chieftaincy Ministry to be better resourced and positioned to play a pivotal role in the country’s governance.

 
Mr Kum called on the Asantehene to seek his assistance in resolving the numerous chieftaincy disputes across the country.

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The Asantehene said he remains committed to supporting the government to resolve chieftaincy disputes.

He, however, implored the sector minister to ensure deserving royals ascend thrones and occupy skins in the interest of peace.
 
Otumfuo said justice must prevail in dispute resolution.

The Asantehene also cautioned against the spate of political interference that has adversely affected the chieftaincy institution.