In a significant move to safeguard the sanctity and legality of civil marriages in Ghana, Ghana Publishing Company Limited is set to collaborate with Marry Right Ghana Limited to produce an annual publication of all churches and pastors gazetted to celebrate ordinance marriages.
The initiative was discussed during a courtesy call by MarryRight Ghana on the newly appointed Managing Director of Ghana Publishing, Nana Kwasi Boatey Esq.
Leading the MarryRight delegation was its Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Barima Agyemang, who congratulated Nana Kwasi Boatey Esq. on his new role and introduced the company’s mission to promote legally compliant marriages in Ghana.
Central to the meeting was the unveiling of MarryRight’s Database of Licensed and Gazetted Marriage Officers and Marriage Venues, a platform designed to help Ghanaians verify who is legally permitted to officiate marriages and churches licensed for celebrating marriages under the Marriages Act, 1884- 1985(Cap 127).
To mark the occasion, Mr. Agyemang presented a complimentary copy of MarryRight’s“Marriage Officers Manual” to the new CEO. The manual provides a comprehensive guide for pastors, ministers, and ministers of religion involved in officiating ordinance marriages.
Ghana Publishing welcomed the proposal and committed to jointly work in publishing an official annual list of licensed churches and marriage officers, with the aim of enhancing public awareness and protecting would be couples.
“This collaboration is timely. Many people enter into marriages not knowing the legal implications when done by unlicensed pastors or churches. A national publication can prevent such mistakes,” said Nana Kwasi Boatey Esq.
Invalid marriages, particularly those celebrated by unauthorized persons, pose a serious legal risk to couples, especially women and children. Without legal backing, such unions may not hold up in court, leading to complications with inheritance, property, and even child custody.
Mr. Agyemang stressed that many couples in Ghana are unknowingly falling victim to these errors, believing they are legally married when, in fact, their union is not recognized under the law.
The meeting also highlighted MarryRight’s upcoming 2025 Marriage Governance Conference, which will bring together stakeholders from across legal, religious, and civil society to deliberate on issues on marriage regulation and education in Ghana.
This partnership with Ghana Publishing is expected to be a transformational step—empowering Ghanaians to verify before they marry, and ensuring that every civil marriage is valid, lawful, and protected.
