Mrs Jemima Oware, the Registrar of Companies, has issued a stark warning that many marriages in Ghana are considered null and void due to non-compliance with legal registration requirements under the Registrar General’s Department.
Mrs. Oware explained that for a marriage to be legally recognized, it must be registered under the Registrar General’s Department.
She highlighted that many churches fail to complete the necessary form to obtain a marriage officer’s license, a legal prerequisite for officiating marriages.
Mrs. Oware noted that some marriages are conducted in non-licensed venues such as gardens or hotels, often without a licensed officiant, rendering these unions void.
“The ordinance marriage is very strict. The premises have to be licensed. Sometimes, let’s say the main church is licensed, and they think that the branches, therefore, can take the legality from the main church, no. Even the branches have to be licensed.
“So, if your main church is licensed for marriages and the branch is not licensed, that marriage is void,” she clarified.
Mrs. Oware emphasized that all ministers of religion must be officially gazetted by the Registrar General through the Minister of Justice to act as marriage officers.
She urged individuals who find themselves in potentially void marriages to visit the Registrar General’s Department to arrange for a special license to regularize their union.
