CHRAJ settles divorce case amicably at Wenchi

Wenchi (B/A), Jan. 29, GNA - The Wenchi Municipal Office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHRAJ), has amicably settled the case involving a husband who abandoned his wife because she had developed a mental problem.

Hamidu Bole, in the arbitration involving the Commission, parents of the couple and religious leaders of the Wenchi Zongo community agreed to support the medical care of his wife, Abubakari Amida, with GH=A21,000 and pay a monthly remittance of GH=A220 for the upkeep of their two children. Amida was said to have had a mental problem while she was legally married to Bole with the two children, a boy and a girl aged 11 and 7 respectively.

Mr Vasco Kwadwo Nyamekye, Municipal Director of the Commission, who briefed the Ghana News Agency, said about 12 years ago, Hamidu married Amida in the Moslem tradition.

He said about four years ago Amida developed the mental problem and Bole divorced her and took a new wife. Mr Nyamekye said some family members of Amida, Fati Abubakari and Lantana Abubakari petitioned the Commission for redress. He said the petition explained that while Amida's parents were seeking treatment at several hospitals in the country and abroad for her, Bole took the new wife and notified them. The Municipal Director said Bole in a reply confirmed his decision, but appealed to the CHRAJ to allow the children to take meals from his new wife.

Mr Nyamekye said after carefully studying the petition the Commission invited witnesses including religious leaders in Wenchi Zongo community who agreed that Bole should support Amida's medical care, excluding other social expenses.