Under the laws of Ghana, can a man who is legally married in Ghana, with his wife in the United States, marry another woman in Ghana?
That question is the subject of a suit filed by Opanyin Joseph Agyenim Boateng to stop his son, Charles Boateng from taking on another wife, Henrietta Ofosu Darkwah, when his marriage to his first wife Nana Jeming Amoako was active.
According to Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, the attempt by Henrietta Ofosu Darkwah and Charles Boateng to contract marriage under the marriage ordinance “is a clear violation of the marriage ordinance and a criminal act under the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT 29) Section 262.”
From the copies of the suit sighted by MYNEWSGH.com, filed by Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, the Petitioner says that at all material time his son. “Charles Boateng is the lawful husband of Nana Jening Amoako and the said marriage was contracted under the customary law and was celebrated on the 26th day of November 2011 at Accra, which was attended and witness by both parents and family members.”
The suit further averrs that “after the said marriage his son Charles Boateng and Nana Jeming Amoako cohabited in the United States and are happily blessed with two children namely Cruz Boateng and Chesney Boateng”.
Lawyer Maurice Ampaw prayed the court to prevent the the second marriage between Charles Boateng and Henrietta Ofosu Adarkwah from coming on, as under the laws of Ghana, bigamy was an offense.
The future father in-law to Henrietta Ofosu Adarkwah, that’s if the second marriage comes on, said unless the first marriage was dissolved, there is no way his son can take on another wife, and is praying the court through his lawyer to prevent the duo from going ahead with the marriage.
The St Theresa Catholic Church, Asawase which is a second respondent has been written to by Lawyer Maurice Ampaw to restrain itself and its Parish Priest from holding the wedding event slated for April 7, citing his personal respect for the church.
“Due to the high respect that I have for the Roman Church and also not to expose the church to public ridicule, I humbly request that the said marriage should be cancelled. Any attempt by the church to be part of this illegality would lead to serious legal consequences.”, he wrote in a letter.
In the letter written to the Church regards, his lawyer addef among other things that:
“I write as Solicitor for Mr. Joseph Agyenim Boateng, the father of Charles Boateng. I have the instruction of my client to bring to the notice of the Church that Mr. Charles Boateng is legally married under customary law to Nana Jeming Amoako who is domicile in U.S.A. The said marriage was held on the 26th day of November, 2011 at Accra, Ghana and was witness by the parents and family members of Charles Boateng and Nana Teming Amoako. The couples are living together and currently have two (2) children namely: Cruz Boateng and Chesney Boateng.
I am reliably informed that invitation cards has been printed and distributed and the church has announce plans of the pending marriage in church.
I am also taking steps to report the unlawful and criminal conduct of Miss Henrietta Ofosu Darkwah to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service at Kumasi Headquarters for the appropriate criminal action to be taken.
I hope the church will not like to be charge with conspiracy and aiding and abetting of attempted bigamy. Hope this objection and request will be brought to the notice of all and the parties herein.