Let’s face it; it’s every girl’s dream to have a white wedding. As a child, I dreamt of the day when I will walk down the aisle with my Mr. Right. The dream even became stronger when I had the opportunity and the privilege to watch the live wedding of the late Princess Diana while in Ghana.
Well, not every dream comes true or fulfilled and that is my story or the story of many who have ever dreamt of having a white wedding.
During my first marriage, I opted for the traditional marriage instead of the extravagant church wedding. I saw that to be too much expense, and also thought that as long as I remained happy in the relationship, it didn’t matter how I got in. Unfortunately, my luck ran out when the marriage ended a little over 19 years and I wanted a bit of the marital property. I had the traditional marriage in the USA, and had friends and family there with me.
I thought that was enough because in the eyes of my family and God, we were married. However, that was not the case when it came time for me to prove the legality of my marriage. I was unable provide prove in a USA court that we were married, and sadly for me, the man vehemently denied the marriage in the hopes of keeping everything.
Not even testimonies from my family and friends who were present during the traditional marriage could save me. It was a very difficult moment, but certainly a learning experience for me and those who care to listen.
People of Ghana recognize traditional marriage as being acceptable and valid within Ghana and every Ghanaian committee that you find yourself in around the world. However, if you happen to travel outside Ghana, your traditional marriage may probably not be recognized.
Unless of course, you can prove it with a piece of paper from the embassy of Ghana that is in the country where you live or that you can prove it by other means such as registering your marriage in court prior or after your travel. Most often when you are unable to prove it with a piece of paper, then you can consider your traditional marriage void outside Ghana.