Ghana’s airwaves are increasingly becoming a public arena for marital disputes, with some couples turning to popular radio and television personalities such as Auntie Naa for intervention instead of seeking immediate legal assistance.

The trend raises questions about the cost of divorce, public confidence in the justice system, the role of traditional mediation, and whether media presenters are filling a gap in access to professional legal services.

On programmes such as Oyerepa Afutuo, hosted by Auntie Naa on Oyerepa FM/TV, relationships and family conflicts are brought before a public audience, with allegations of infidelity, neglect, financial disagreements, domestic abuse, and disputes involving extended family members often forming part of the discussions.

For some participants, the attraction is straightforward: they want their partners to respond, their families to intervene, and their grievances to be heard.

A radio or television programme can offer immediate attention and public pressure in circumstances where a couple may have spent months arguing without reaching a resolution.

But the growing popularity of such interventions raises a critical question: why are some Ghanaians choosing the broadcast studio over a lawyer’s office or the courtroom when their marriages break down?

Why Auntie Naa has become an option for couples

Auntie Naa’s appeal lies partly in the format of her programme. Unlike formal court proceedings, which follow established legal procedures, a broadcast discussion can bring the parties, relatives and other relevant voices into one conversation.

The presenter can question participants, allow each side to tell its story and encourage reconciliation or an agreement on the next steps. For couples who believe their partners will not listen privately, the prospect of being questioned publicly may also encourage a response.

The format can be particularly attractive to people who are unfamiliar with the legal system or who believe that formal proceedings will be expensive, slow or emotionally exhausting.

However, a programme's popularity should not be confused with proof that every dispute presented on air is resolved. Public discussion may produce an apology, a promise or a family agreement, but the durability and enforceability of such outcomes are separate questions.

A presenter may help parties communicate, but does not automatically have the authority to determine matrimonial rights, divide marital property or issue a legally binding divorce order.

Auntie Naa is not the only broadcaster handling relationship disputes

Ghana has a long tradition of broadcasting programmes that examine marriage, intimacy, parenting and family relationships.

Joyce Akumaa Dongotey-Padi, popularly known as Akumaa Mama Zimbi, is associated with Odo Ahomaso, while Oheneni Adazoa has also built a media profile around social and family issues. Mama Effe is another broadcaster associated with relationship discussions and counselling.

These programmes differ in format and emphasis, but their popularity reflects an enduring public appetite for advice and discussion about relationships.

A key distinction, however, is necessary. A programme that offers relationship advice or facilitates a family discussion is not necessarily providing professional counselling, legal advice, or formal mediation. The nature of the service depends on the particular intervention and the qualifications of the person providing it.

Why couples may prefer radio to a divorce lawyer

Cost is one possible explanation, although it should not be assumed to be the only reason.

Some people may expect a radio appearance to be free or less expensive than engaging a lawyer. Others may want a quick response, public accountability or an opportunity to tell their side of a dispute. In some cases, relatives and community members may already be familiar with the presenter, making the programme feel more accessible than a formal legal process.

There is also a difference between what the two options are designed to achieve.

A media presenter may focus on opening communication, encouraging an apology, seeking reconciliation or helping parties agree on practical arrangements. A lawyer, by contrast, advises a client on legal rights, available remedies, evidence, procedure and the consequences of a proposed settlement.

Where a marriage has broken down irretrievably, a court process may be necessary to obtain a divorce decree and address related legal issues. Under Ghanaian law, a radio discussion cannot substitute for the court's authority to dissolve a marriage.

The two approaches, therefore, are not necessarily competitors. Informal intervention may help some couples resolve disagreements before litigation becomes necessary, while legal representation remains important where rights must be protected or formal orders are required.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Ghana?

The cost of engaging a lawyer for a divorce in Ghana varies according to the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, the location of the practice, the amount of work involved and whether the parties agree on the issues or contest them.

An uncontested divorce, where the parties cooperate and there are few outstanding issues, may require less legal work than a contested case involving child custody, maintenance, allegations of abuse, or the division of marital assets.

There is no single figure that can responsibly be presented as the standard price charged by every divorce lawyer in Ghana without current, verifiable fee information. Prospective clients should request a written quotation and establish what it covers.

That quotation should clarify whether the fee includes consultations, drafting and filing court documents, court appearances, negotiations, applications relating to children or property, and any additional work that may arise. Court fees and other disbursements should also be distinguished from the lawyer's professional fees.

For people who cannot afford private representation, it is worth checking whether they qualify for assistance from Ghana's Legal Aid Commission or another recognised legal aid service. Eligibility, availability, and the scope of assistance should be confirmed directly with the relevant provider.

The practical comparison is therefore not simply between a free radio appearance and an expensive lawyer. It is between different services with different purposes, costs and consequences.

Why are newly called lawyers not filling the gap?

The growing visibility of marital disputes on radio also raises questions about whether more lawyers should specialise in family law and make their services accessible to ordinary Ghanaians.

Being called to the Bar qualifies a person to practise law subject to the applicable professional requirements, but it does not mean every lawyer has specialist experience in divorce, child custody, maintenance or matrimonial property disputes.

Some lawyers may concentrate on corporate practice, commercial transactions, criminal litigation, property law or other areas. Others may handle family matters as part of a broader practice.

The visibility of radio disputes alone does not establish that Ghana lacks family lawyers or that newly qualified lawyers are deliberately avoiding the field.

Nevertheless, law firms and legal professional bodies could help bridge the perceived gap through clearer fee information, initial consultations, public education and accessible family-law services. Lawyers who explain procedures in plain language may also help people understand when negotiation is appropriate and when formal legal action is necessary.

The legal risks of putting private disputes on air

Taking a relationship dispute to radio or television can have consequences beyond the immediate disagreement.

Public allegations may affect reputations, expose children to unwanted attention, deepen conflict between families and make future reconciliation more difficult. Participants may also disclose personal information without fully considering the long-term consequences of broadcasting it.

There are potential concerns about privacy, defamation, and the welfare of children, depending on what is said, how it is presented and the circumstances of the broadcast. Consent to appear on a programme does not automatically remove every possible legal risk.

Domestic abuse cases require particular care. Where a person faces threats, violence, coercion or serious intimidation, a public confrontation may increase the risk of harm. Safety planning, appropriate support services and legal protection should take priority over an on-air confrontation.

Broadcasters handling such cases should consider informed consent, confidentiality, the protection of vulnerable participants and referral to qualified professionals where necessary.

What needs to change?

Ghana's media houses, lawyers and relevant public institutions can approach the trend as an opportunity to improve access to information rather than simply criticise people who choose radio intervention.

Broadcasters can make it clearer when a discussion is informal mediation rather than legal adjudication, avoid presenting unverified allegations as established facts and refer cases involving serious legal or safety concerns to the appropriate professionals.

Lawyers, meanwhile, can explain their fees more transparently, provide realistic estimates before taking instructions, and make greater use of legal aid or other affordable service models where available.

Members of the public should also understand the limits of each option. A presenter may help a couple talk, a counsellor may help them examine their relationship, and a lawyer may advise them on their rights. These roles can complement one another, but they are not interchangeable.

The central issue is not whether Auntie Naa should replace divorce lawyers. It is why some people appear to find a public radio platform more accessible than formal legal assistance and what can be done to ensure that those seeking help receive the right support.

As marital disputes continue to attract public attention, the challenge for Ghana is to make professional legal guidance more understandable and accessible while ensuring that the pursuit of a quick resolution does not come at the expense of privacy, safety or legal rights.

What the law and published fee guidance say

1. Divorce must be granted by a court Ghana's Matrimonial Causes Act, 1971 (Act 367) provides that the sole ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation. The Act sets out the circumstances a petitioner may rely on and provides for matters including financial provision, property settlement and child custody.

2. Published lawyer-fee guidance The Ghana Law Society's publicly available fee schedule lists GH¢15,000–GH¢45,000 for dissolution of marriage and custody only. A separate 2022 document labelled as a Ghana Bar Association fee scale lists GH¢30,000–GH¢90,000 for the same category.

These are figures from published schedules, not a verified survey of what every lawyer currently charges.

3. Free legal assistance is available to eligible applicants The Legal Aid Commission provides legal advice, assistance, representation and alternative dispute resolution services to eligible people. Its published guidance says qualifying services are free and that mediation can resolve suitable disputes without a full court trial.

4. Court proceedings involve several stages The Judicial Service of Ghana outlines a divorce process involving a petition, service on the respondent, responses, witness statements and, where necessary, trial proceedings. This helps explain why a contested divorce can require more time and legal work than an informal family discussion.

EA