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More Ghanaians opt for ordinance marriage
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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
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people and retrieved firearms, ammunition and other offensive items during an intelligence led operation at Sapeiman Faase in the Greater Accra Region.
According to a press release issued by the Command on Monday, the operation was carried out jointly with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) on July 17, 2026.
The Police identified the suspects as Torgbui Agah Semaglo, 50, Shadrach Agah Semaglo, 22, William Kweku Sedanu, 21, Cyril Kassenu, 26, and Kingsford Agah Semaglo, 18.
The Command said a search at the suspects’ premises led to the retrieval of a pump action gun, a Stoeger ST R9 pistol, a dummy Austria pistol, a jackknife, a face mask, 12 BB cartridges, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one AK-47 round of ammunition, a talisman and two kitchen knives.
It noted that all the items had been kept as exhibits to support investigations.
The Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal group involved in armed robbery and landguard activities.
It alleged that they used the recovered weapons to terrorise residents in Sapeiman and nearby communities.
The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to determine their involvement in other robbery cases and related criminal activities. The Police also said it was working to identify and arrest any additional accomplices.
The Accra Regional Police Command commended members of the public for providing credible information that supported its work and urged residents to remain vigilant.
It encouraged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers, adding that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the region.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a revised national curriculum for kindergarten to junior high school will be presented to the Ministry of Education on Wednesday for further approval.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today, Mr. Iddrisu said the new curriculum was developed by the National Curriculum Assessment Agency (NaCCA) as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning at the basic education level.
According to him, the revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Ministry before it is forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama. He added that it will then be sent to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.
Mr. Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is designed to support a “Smart Start” approach by strengthening the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
He explained that the government intends to introduce new subjects, including coding, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into the basic school curriculum.
The Minister said the changes form part of the government’s commitment to equipping pupils with practical and digital skills needed to meet the demands of the modern world.
He expressed confidence that the revised curriculum would help prepare learners for future opportunities by integrating technology and innovation into education from the early years of schooling.
By: Jacob Aggrey
