Executive Director of Legal Assistance Network Ghana, Irene Aborchie Nyahe, recently expressed her strong condemnation of a divorce judgment that has raised concerns among lawyers and gender activists.

Speaking on TSP with Gifty Anti on April 27, 2026, Nyahe emphasised that “marriage is an investment.”

Highlighting the issues within the ruling, she criticised the judge's comments regarding the woman's physical appearance, stating, “What is annoying is the reference to the physical features of the woman. To say that because she's beautiful, she has the prospect of getting married again… those comments are unnecessary.”

Nyahe pointed out that both Article 22 of the Constitution and the Matrimonial Causes Act outline clear criteria for property sharing, addressing contributions—both direct and indirect.

She lamented the societal expectation placed on women, who often take on roles such as caregivers and homemakers without any financial recognition for their efforts.

“The woman becomes the nanny, the cleaner... She does laundry. Society places responsibilities on women that we don't put financial value on,” she remarked.

The judgment awarded the woman GH¢300,000, which Nyahe deemed unfair, especially considering the couple “started with nothing” and that the man now owns a private jet.

She argued, “Marriage is an investment. It's an emotional investment and a financial investment... She's investing time, and time is money.”

Nyahe also revealed that the woman was granted only one room in a Dansoman three-bedroom house, while a “side chick” occupies the more spacious quarters, which remain untouchable.

The woman has since appealed the ruling with support from organisations like FIDA Ghana and Achieve Justice.

“These types of judgments are destructive to the family unit,” Nyahe warned, adding that the narrative that marriage is not an investment could discourage women from working.

She shared her own experience, saying, “My husband said I should stop working... When he buys cement, he will get a receipt. But when you sit down and take care of the children, you don't get receipts.”

With women comprising 51% of the population, Nyahe concluded, “If women are not well placed, you are not going to develop this country at 100%.”

NAD/BAI

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