A High Court Judge in Kumasi, Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur, has publicly commented on the practice of conducting both ordinance (state) and customary marriage ceremonies, describing the dual celebration as “unnecessary” and a “waste of time and resources.”
Justice Smith-Arthur remarked while presiding over the highly publicised legal battle concerning the estate and marital status of the late Highlife icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
She explained that under the current framework of Ghanaian law, both an ordinance marriage (typically conducted under the Marriage Act) and a customary marriage are independently valid and legally recognised.
Therefore, performing both ceremonies for the same couple simultaneously is deemed superfluous by the court.
The Judge’s comment came in passing during proceedings in a case filed by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, the plaintiff, who is seeking a court declaration that she is the only lawful surviving spouse of Daddy Lumba.
The defendants in the case are the family head, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu (First Defendant), and the late musician’s partner, Priscilla Ofori, also known as Odo Broni (Second Defendant).
