Why people get married in Ghana apart from love?

Marriage in Ghana has been defined by long standing traditions and customs.

But with the introduction of Christianity and Islam, it has been modified quite significantly.

Christians now have the traditional wedding and then do the Church wedding. For Ghanaian Muslims, Islamic marriage has almost taken over traditional marriage.

However, in the last 10 years, more Ghanaians are choosing “civil partnership” over actual marriage.

Also, a lot more Ghanaians are getting married in their early thirties.

Here are why people get married minus the love

1 Children must not be born outside wedlock

In many Ghanaian homes, it is forbidden to have a child outside wedlock. Although it is not a criminal offence to get pregnant before marriage, many Ghanaians believe once the woman is pregnant she must marry the man who impregnated her.

2 Because you have to get married

Pressure from family members and friends sometimes push the young ones to get married. They often run the risks of being asked questions like: “Are you married? Or “When are you getting married?”

3. Religious beliefs

Ghanaians are somehow religious bigots. There is this strong religious belief that a man must find a partner whether he has the means or not. In Islam, a man can marry up to four while in some traditions, a man can marry as many as he wishes.

4 Marriage of convenience

Marriage of convenience is another reason Ghanaians get married.

It is a marriage that is arranged for practical, financial, or political reasons.

5 Expression of true feeling

Marriage is a proof of true love feelings in Ghana.

“If he really loves you, he will marry you.” Or “If she truly loves you, she will accept your marriage proposal.”

These are some of the comments you’ll hear about the connection between love and marriage.