Dad who forced daughter, 12, into marriage arrested

The minor was forced into marrying Hakeem when her big sister refused the offer

A 50-year-old man, Kamal Yusif, who gave his 12-year-old JHS 1 daughter into marriage to a 25-year-old man, Hakeem, has been arrested by the Tesano police.

Hakeem has also been arrested by the police. They were arrested on Thursday, 16 August in Accra.

On Wednesday, 15 August 2018, the police told Class News' Joshua Quodjoe Mensah that the girl's parents and her husband would be invited for questioning by close of the week.

The secret marriage ceremony which happened last month, left neighbours dumbfounded.

The traditional rites have been performed pending a grand reception expected to take place on 23 September 2018.

Sources indicated that the JHS 1 pupil replaced her elder sister who refused the early marriage.

Despite assurances from Kamal Yusif that the marriage would not truncate the little girl's education, his distraught relatives think otherwise.

Sources close to the family of the girl told Class News' Ekow Annan on Wednesday, 15 August 2018 that the marriage has already been consummated with the minor being brainwashed into coming to terms with being married.

Ghana's Constitution, the Children’s Act and the Criminal Code are all against child marriage.