Contrary to established and known practices, husbands can also petition a court of competent jurisdiction for maintenance, including financial assistance, from their wives, Justice Alexander Osei Tutu, an Appeals Court judge, has said.
Where necessary, he said, the court may award maintenance pending suit or financial provision to either party in a marriage under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367) in Ghana.
Justice Alexander Osei Tutu is, therefore, encouraging wives to support their husbands facing financial challenges due to neglect, especially as a result of old age, incapacitation, sickness, or other issues.
He noted that children can also petition the court for an order compelling their wives to maintain their neglected children, including paying school fees and providing maintenance money for the family’s upkeep.
“It’s not only women who can seek redress in court. Husbands, too, can go to court if they think they are not treated well in their homes… they can petition against their wives for maintenance,” he disclosed.
Justice Osei Tutu, a member of the Assemblies of God (AG), explained during a capacity-building workshop for AG leaders and members at Sokoban in Kumasi that upon divorce, the court can order the wife to pay alimony or order a property settlement to the husband, and vice versa.
The judge also reminded believers that marriage is a gift from God that must be seen as a lifetime commitment with mutual respect and love, quoting Bible verses to support his points.
“God views marriage as a sacred institution. While divorce is not God’s ideal plan, it is acknowledged as a reality due to human sin and brokenness (Matthew 19:8, Malachi 2:16),” Justice Osei Tutu admonished Christians to eschew divorce.
He also lamented the increasing number of divorce cases involving Christian marriages in the country.
