By Sarah Baafi
Private legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has shed light on the complexities of marriage, divorce, and annulment in Ghana.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Mr. Ampaw noted that many couples enter marriage expecting a trouble-free union, only to find themselves struggling when challenges arise. This, he said, often leads to decisions to end their relationships.
On the issue of infidelity, Lawyer Ampaw noted that both men and women engage in extramarital affairs but respond to such situations differently. Women, he observed, are generally more forgiving of a cheating husband, whereas men are less likely to do the same. He suggested that when women are unfaithful, there is often an underlying reason, which can trigger greater anger and a higher likelihood of separation.
Lawyer Ampaw also pointed to external influences, including religious figures, whom he claimed sometimes encourage women to leave their marriages—allegedly for personal gain.
Addressing marriage counselling, he criticised some counsellors for adopting a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. This lack of flexibility, he warned, could worsen marital problems rather than resolve them.
Explaining Ghana’s legal framework, Lawyer Ampaw clarified that divorce requires proof of an irretrievable breakdown of marriage, often due to adultery or unreasonable behaviour. Annulments, on the other hand, apply in cases where a marriage is legally void or voidable—such as when it has not been consummated or contains procedural flaws.
He stressed the importance of understanding these legal distinctions to navigate marital disputes effectively within Ghana’s legal system.
