News
More Ghanaians opt for ordinance marriage
Mr Prosper Akanni
An increasing number of Ghanaians are opting for ordinance marriages compared to customary marriages, Mr Francis Akanni, an Assistant Director for Local Government Service at the Ga West Municipal Assembly has disclosed.
This, he explained was because of the perception that customary marriages do not need registration.
Mr Akanni made the disclosure on Tuesday during a panel discussion at a Marriage Governance conference.
The conference was aimed at bringing stakeholders and experts together to foster a deeper understanding and promote best practices in marriage governance.
He said statistics on marriage registration for 2023 indicated that about 12,000 marriages were registered under ordinance and less that 300 for customary marriages.
Mr Akanni was of the view that customary marriages should be registered and certified to serve as an evidence to either of the couples.
He explained that customary marriages were the preserve of Ghanaians only, clarifying that a Ghanaian man cannot marry a foreign lady under customary marriage, however, a foreigner (male) can marry a Ghanaian woman customarily.
An Assistant State Attorney at the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) and Ministry of Justice, Ms Winnie Myers said it was necessary to register one’s marriage for evidential purposes.
She said usually the importance of registering marriages do not come up when everything goes well but the narrative changes when either of them passes on.
She said it is easier sharing properties of a deceased if there was a proof of marriage between the living spouse and the dead.
She said the RGD do not register customary marriages, or the Mohammedan marriages but rather receive returns of marriage books issued.
This according to Ms Myles helps the department to confirm validity of certificates but said “these remittances of the certificates are not done so we cannot confirm.”
She said marriage books of marriages conducted about 10 or 20 years ago could not be found at the assembly and it poses a challenge to the department, adding that most often embassies write to them to confirm validity of certain certificates they receive.
A Justice of the Court of Appeal, Mr Barima Yaw Oppong Kodie, said there was sufficient recognition for customary marriages but unfortunately it has been termed “engagement.”
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
President John Dramani Mahama to kick off 2025/26 Premier League season in Accra
The 2025/26 Premier League will officially kick off on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, performing the ceremonial kick-off ahead of the season opener between Accra Hearts of Oak and league debutants Hohoe United.
President Mahama will be joined by Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, members of the Executive Council and football fans from across the capital as the curtain rises on what promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent years.
Giants Hearts of Oak will open their quest for a league title when they take on newly promoted Hohoe United under the floodlights of the Accra Sports Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The Phobians, bolstered by new signings and a strong pre-season campaign, are eager to end a four-year run without an opening-day victory, while United will be aiming to make a statement in their first-ever top-flight match.
Before the main fixture, there will be a curtain-raiser between the Black Starlets (Ghana U-17) and Auroras FC, the youth side of Hearts of Oak, at 4:00 pm local time.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, top Afro-dancehall and reggae musician Stonebwoy (Livingstone Etse Satekla) will deliver a live performance at the venue, ensuring fans enjoy not only football but also top-class entertainment on opening night.
This season is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with traditional heavyweights, ambitious newcomers and revitalized clubs all targeting glory. From title races to survival battles, fans are set for months of excitement, drama and unforgettable moments.
News
GES opens promotion applications for teaching staff
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has invited applications from qualified teachers and officers for promotion to higher ranks within the service.
In a notice signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General for Management Services, Prof. Smile Dzisi, the GES said the ranks available are Deputy Director, Assistant Director I, Assistant Director II and Principal Superintendent.
According to the statement, applicants must meet the minimum years of service required for each position.
Teachers seeking promotion to Deputy Director must have been promoted to Assistant Director I in or before 2021.
Similarly, those applying for Assistant Director I should have held the rank of Assistant Director II since 2021 or earlier.
Applicants for Assistant Director II must have been Principal Superintendents from 2021 or earlier, while those applying for Principal Superintendent must have been Senior Superintendent I since 2021 or before.
The GES stated that teachers with approved Master’s or PhD degrees may use their certificates to apply for promotion out of turn if the qualifications meet set conditions.
These include completing an approved course of study and obtaining the certificate after their previous promotion but not later than 2023.
Applicants are to complete the online application form and upload all required documents in PDF format, except for the passport-size photograph.
The application window runs from Thursday, September 11, to Thursday, October 2, 2025. The GES urged all applicants who had applied earlier to re-apply.
By: Jacob Aggrey
