FORMS OF MARRIAGES IN GHANA

 

In Ghana, marriage can be contracted under three fundamental frameworks: Customary marriage, Christian/Church marriage (otherwise called Ordinance marriage), and Islamic marriage. Every framework has its own arrangement of necessities. Here is an overall breakdown:

 

v  CUSTOMARY MARRIAGE

Customary marriage depends on the practices and customs of the families in question.

PREREQUISITES:

Consent of both parties: Both the man and the lady should consent to the marriage.

Consent of the families: Family endorsement, particularly from the lady of the hour's family, is significant.

Bride Price (dowry): The man's family is supposed to give a bride price or dowry, which can incorporate cash, drinks, or different things mentioned by the lady's loved ones.

Ceremony: There should be a customary marriage ceremony that observes the practices of the families in question. This frequently includes a social event of the two families and the trading of gifts.

Witnesses: Customary relationships frequently require the presence of observers from the two families to approve the marriage.

 

v  CHRISTIAN/CHURCH MARRIAGE (ORDINANCE MARRIAGE)

This is otherwise called common marriage and is managed by the Marriage Law Act.

Necessities:

Age necessity: The two parties should be no less than 18 years of age.

Consent of both Parents: The two parties should enthusiastically agree to the marriage.

Disallowance of existing marriage: Neither one of the gatherings ought to currently be hitched to another person under the Law. Polygamy isn't permitted under this framework.

Notice of marriage: The couple should give a notification of their goal to wed at the closest Locale Gathering, Enlistment center of Relationships, or a licensed church. This notice is distributed for 21 days.

Marriage permit: After the 21-day notice, in the event that no complaints are raised, the recorder or church gives a marriage permit.

Witnesses: The service should have no less than two observers.

Registration: The marriage should be enrolled with the suitable common specialists.

Church or venue: The marriage can happen in an authorized spot of love or the workplace of the registration center of Relationships.

 

v  ISLAMIC MARRIAGE

Islamic marriage in Ghana keeps the guidelines and customs of Islamic law (Sharia).

Requirements:

Assent of the two parties: Both the man and the lady should consent to the marriage.

Assent of the Wali (guardian): The lady of the hour's Wali (guardian) should give his assent.

Mahr (dowry): The lucky man should give a mahr, which is a required gift or amount of cash given to the lady.

Witnesses: Somewhere around two male observers should be available at the wedding function.

Nikah ceremony: The marriage is solemnized in a Nikah service led by an Imam or Muslim pioneer.

 

GENERAL LEGITIMATE NECESSITIES (RELEVANT TO ALL RELATIONSHIPS)

Time of assent: The two parties should be somewhere around 18 years of age.

Capacity to marry: The two people should have the intellectual ability to grasp the idea of marriage.

Voluntary consent: The two parties should enter the marriage willfully and without pressure.

Registration: Relationships, particularly under the Statute and Islamic regulation, should be registered with the proper government specialists.

 

POLYGAMY IN GHANA

ü  Customary and Islamic marriages allow polygamy (the man can marry numerous spouses).

ü  Christian/Church (Law) relationships are totally monogamous.

Every marriage type has its own lawful acknowledgment and suggestions. Customary marriages are perceived as lawful, yet may not be perceived globally except if enrolled under the Law.