Most Ghanaian marriages are void-Madam Jemima Oware

The Registrar of Companies, Madam Jemima Oware has revealed that most marriages in Ghana are null and void owing to their non-compliance with the legal requirement.

According to her, most marriages are not registered with the Registrar General's Department.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Madam Oware explained that churches are supposed to complete a form to get a marriage officer's license.

However, she said that many churches fail to do this and that some marriages are conducted in places like gardens or hotels without a licensed officer, which renders these unions invalid.

Furthermore, she stated that even if a main church is licensed, its branches cannot automatically assume they are licensed as well adding that each branch must have its license.

She thus asserted that if a branch conducts a marriage without being licensed, that marriage is void.

Also, the Registrar mentioned that all ministers of religion must be officially recognized by the Registrar General through the Minister of Justice to act as marriage officers.

She thus encouraged all such persons in invalid marriages to visit the Department to arrange for a special license.