The reported remarriage of Lilian Owusu, widow of the late former Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, has sparked widespread debate on social media, with some Ghanaians divided over the development.

Dr Kumah passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the age of 45, triggering an outpouring of grief and tributes from political leaders, colleagues and constituents across the country.

He was widely praised for his dedication to public service, advocacy for economic growth and close relationship with the people of Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.

About 18 months after his death, news has emerged that his widow, Lilian Owusu, now known as Apostle Lilian Aryeequaye has remarried.

The development has since dominated discussions on social media platforms, particularly X where users have shared contrasting opinions.

Some social media users criticised the remarriage, with a section of commentators suggesting it was too soon after the lawmaker’s demise.

Others made cynical remarks about life, relationships and replacement, with comments such as “Just know you can be replaced when you’re no more” and “Fake tears all because the support system is gone.”

Widow of former Deputy Minister of Finance John Kumah remarries after a year

However, many others have come to her defence, arguing that widowhood should not sentence a woman to a lifetime of loneliness.

Some questioned whether critics would give the same advice if the widow were their own relative, while others emphasised that life must go on for the living.

“If she were your mother, would you advise her to stay single at her age?” one user asked, while another wrote, “Life is for the living.”

“He left all those millions of $$ in his accounts for her to enjoys with her new man. It’s normal tho.”

“Body no be firewood naa.”

“The man has always been in the picture.”

Apostle Lilian Aryeequaye is the founder, senior pastor and general overseer of Disciples of Christ Ministries, also known as Disciples of Christ Ministries Worldwide.

Meanwhile, In Akan tradition, a woman may remarry after observing certain widowhood rites for at least one year, although the specific practices may vary among different Akan groups in Ghana.

The period and rituals associated with widowhood are primarily intended to honour the deceased husband, seek spiritual protection and formally sever the ties between the widow and her late husband’s lineage, thereby freeing her to consider a new life.

According to Akan custom, widowhood rites are not meant as punishment. One of their purposes is also to determine whether the woman is pregnant by the deceased husband.

This is why tradition recommends a one-year waiting period before remarriage.

After the rites are performed, the woman has every right, under Akan tradition, to remarry if she so wishes.

The thing no take long koraaa

— Manuel💙 (@Ademens1) December 19, 2025

7 month dating and courtship be wild 😂😂😂

— viruS (@Ghanaviruz) December 19, 2025

Hmmmm. Personally I've no doubt that the man she married a year after the demised of her husband, was already on her reserved bench awaiting possible substitution in to the game of marriage. Eiiii women go kill men oooh. My fellow men, shine your eyes na dis bi big lesson. Abi ?

— Gwandinam Biengu (@sumani1975) December 19, 2025

You don't expect her to say stay single forever na! She got feelings sexually active.

— Yayra korbla (@yayra_bright) December 20, 2025

The man could have marry longest, please allow her.Note everyone is replaceable!!!! Enjoy while it’s last!

— Ann (@Ann_nita7) December 19, 2025

Just know you can be replaced when you’re no more ✌️

— Kinetic 🥂 (@kinetic_yaw) December 19, 2025

Fake tears all because the support system is gone .. chale! Make I just cool down..

— TEDEKU🇯🇲 (@MTEDRECORDS) December 19, 2025

We taking over we Dey show guy guy people Dey all the time. So don’t over kill your body

— NanaEzze (@Nanaezze) December 19, 2025

She Apostle Lilian Kumah
Her ministry can't allow her to stay single for longer time

— Kofi Nunoo-Mensah 🇬🇧🇬🇭 (@pastor_mensah) December 19, 2025

Don't live to please any woman, look to yourselves first ,guys

— HenryOx fanti boy (@KingPow17) December 19, 2025

The man has always been in the picture 👌

— PointBlank👌 (@Juiceey4) December 19, 2025

The optics don't look good. She should have done it privately

— Desiree (@dizewar24) December 20, 2025

Herrrr
Another reason not to kill yourself for any woman. Young Kings, just enjoy the moments while it last.

Morally and legally, she’s right however, the act reveals the thought patterns of most women towards men.

When did they meet, started talking and arranged to marry?

— George Kumi (@GeorgeKumi10) December 19, 2025

Nothing strange or new here. When John Kumah was sick the lady needed a comforter, then he died; the lady needed a comforter, now after a year's mourning, she has legalized the comforter.

— Bobby AxelRod🦁 (@DariusKincaidXX) December 19, 2025

Men get shocked when women do what men are good at. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 obiaaa se wow wow wow. Ei ei ei nso nam mu bi ….. Congrats 🎊🎈@JoyNewsOnTV @JoyPrimeTV #JoySMS @Joy997FM

— BOSS (@KojoJoneslotty) December 19, 2025

Body no be firewood 😂

— Emmanuel Blaze (@EmmanuelBlaze10) December 19, 2025

He left all those millions of $$ in his accounts for her to enjoys with her new man. It’s normal tho 😂

— Don Papa 🇿🇦 🇬🇭 🇺🇸 (@RichyDonPapa) December 19, 2025