Customary marriage remains a fully legal and recognised union in Ghana, marriage counsellor and ADR practitioner Rev Manuel has reaffirmed.
Speaking on Prime Morning, he said that in a culture where family involvement carries great weight, “when your dad, mum, and family come together during the customary marriage, and the father approves the marriage by words, then the diaries have been paid automatically.”
He explained that this process alone makes the marriage valid under both tradition and law.
Rev Manuel clarified that registering a customary marriage for a certificate does not turn it into an ordinance marriage.
“It doesn’t change it to the ordinance. it’s only a certificate for the traditional marriage,” he said. He noted that the certificate can serve important purposes, including documentation for travel. Stressing its legitimacy, he stated, “Our customary law is not inferior but solid.”
Commenting on what determines a successful union, Rev Manuel said the type of marriage does not influence the happiness of a couple.
“At the end of the day, if the man is good, he is good, if the woman is good, she’s good. The type of marriage doesn’t matter,” he said, urging the public not to belittle traditional unions.
Lawyer Serwaa, who joined the discussion, highlighted the legal recognition of marital relationships in Ghana. She explained that a person becomes a husband or wife only through a legally recognised form of marriage.
“The law doesn’t recognize body mamas, mistresses, boyfriends, girlfriends, or secret partners,” she stated. “It only recognizes the husband and wife under any of the three forms of marriage in Ghana.”
She ended with a call for responsibility in relationships.
“I always say that love is not enough. If you love me, protect me,” she said. She reminded listeners that although love begins with emotions, “the court doesn’t recognize emotions, but rather life, husband, and wife.”
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