A spokesperson for the Gborbu Wulomo temple, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, has explained that the selection of 12-year-old Naa Yomo Ayemuade by the Gborbu Wulomo is part of a spiritual exercise that began six years ago.
She is designated to fulfil a role within the shrine reserved only for virgins. In response to criticism of the event, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II added that Naa Yomo Ayemuade began her journey to becoming a queen at the age of six.
Despite this, she has been allowed to attend school and will continue to do so until she is mature enough to decide on any sexual relations with the Gborbu Wulomo.
“This is the third ritual she is going through which started six years ago. In fact, she is in school and we have ensured her mates and teachers are part of this journey”, he stressed.
He added that “until the fourth ritual is performed, the Wulomo will not have any sexual relations with her. He will have to wait until she is mature or she reaches the legal age of marriage and childbirth”.
The Gborbu Wulomo temple has stated that Naa Yomo Ayemuade’s primary role is 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 is maintained and to protect her from any sexual violations.
He added, “Naa Yomo Ayemuade is a reincarnated woman who lived over 300 years ago and has returned to ensure that the sacred rituals of one of the deities which have not been performed for years can be done”.
Despite the explanations from the shrine, the controversy surrounding the marriage continues. Many, both within and outside the community, are not convinced by the justifications provided and see the union as a violation of human rights.
Some social media users and gender activists argue that the focus on female virginity reinforces harmful beliefs about female sexuality, portraying it as something to be controlled and monitored, while male sexuality is often accepted and praised.