Despite growing awareness of legal rights in Ghana, many couples in the Asokwa District still shy away from registering their marriages largely due to misconceptions and lack of proper education on the issue.
At the Asokwa Marriage Registry, officials say that the low turnout is not because people cannot afford the fees, but because of long-held cultural beliefs. “Some men believe that once you register your marriage, your wife becomes bossy and begins to control the home,” an official at the registry explained. “It’s a misconception that discourages many from completing the process.”
This mistaken belief, coupled with limited public education, has left many unions without legal recognition. Couples often consider traditional or religious ceremonies as sufficient proof of marriage, not realizing that these do not provide the same legal protection under Ghana’s laws.
The result is that when issues such as inheritance, divorce, or custody arise, many spouses especially women find themselves without the legal backing they deserve. In some cases, years of companionship and joint effort are lost simply because the marriage was never formally registered.
However, marriage registration does not shift power in the home, rather protects both partners equally.
To address the problem, the registry is planning community engagements to correct misconceptions and educate the public on the value of legal marriage documentation.
For Asokwa to progress, officials say, couples must move beyond fear and tradition and embrace registration as a mark of responsibility and respect, not rivalry.
