Can I marry my late friend’s girlfriend?

 Dear Obaa Yaa,

I lost a friend who was very dear to my heart. Before his death, he was in a serious relationship with a well cultured lady.

After this incident, the lady has been very close to me because of the consolation she derives from me.

Recently, I have developed a deep affection for her and I want to propose love to her and if possi­ble marry her.

The reason is that, I don’t want her to end up in the arms of anoth­er man who would maltreat her.

But I have a feeling that people may criticise our relationship.

I don’t want to lose her.

Atsu, Keta.

Dear Atsu,

I HOPE you are not saying you want to be the caretaker of your late friend’s girlfriend. And who says she will fall into the wrong hands?

Well, society is such that peo­ple would surely criticise matters like this.

But if the man is no more, there should be no reason why anoth­er man cannot love or marry the girl, provided the new guy is not a brother or relative of the late friend.

In doing so, however, be careful you don’t later turn around to say that, after all she was your friend’s girlfriend so you want to quit. That would be something nobody will accept.

Think about this carefully. If I were you, I would avoid her and get another person.