Ghanaian Customary Marriage Not “Force Marriage”

Human Rights Expertswho got carried away with the falsehood that Ghanaians force their children into marriage they did not want had that falsehood cleared over the weekend.

The rich Ghanaian customary marriage rites for some time now has been described as “force marriage” by some human rights experts who do not understand the marriage rites.

So when the opportunity came for Mr. Kingsley Prempeh to perform the customary rites to officially marry Ms. Barbara Nana Yaa Adowaa in Toronto, the leaders in the Ghanaian community use the occasion to clear the minds of all those who describes Ghanaian customary rites as “force”.

Woodbridge Banquette Hall where the event took place on July 23, 2016, was filled to capacity as White Americans, Canadians and even non Ghanaians turn out in their numbers to witness the colourful ceremony.

Nodding their heads in agreement and giving a round of applause at every section of the marriage rites as successfully executed indicated how the “doubting Thomas’s” had a change of mind and came to agreed that the system was the best customary rites ever.

Playing the role of linguists for the bridal party and that of the bridegroom party, Elder Appiah Kubi and Mr. Seth Opoku Agyeman, excellently translated every aspect of the programme to the whites and non-Ghanaians who applauded and shouted “WOW” this is it.

Clearly demonstrated for all to see was the segment where the bride’s consent to marry the bridegroom was sought for three times and she responded yes to the rapturous applause which meant that she was not forced into marriage.

Commenting about the event a white lady who only gave her name as Lydia described the event as wonderful which needs to be documented for the future generation to inherit.

She was full of smiles as she jokingly said,” Suppose am going to marry soon, I will choose Ghanaian customary rites ceremony for my bridegroom to perform”.

Lydia as she preferred to be identified, took note of the unity that the marriage formed between the bridal party and that of the bridegroom’s party and said,” that was more wonderful.

Barbra's consent being sought three times

Forming unity among the two parties