WIVES HAVE LEGAL DUTY TO MAINTAIN NEEDY HUSBANDS – Appeals Court Judge

Appeals Court Judge Justice Alexander Osei Tutu has clarified that husbands possess equal rights to seek maintenance and financial support from their wives under Ghana’s Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367), challenging traditional gender norms in matrimonial proceedings.

Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Assemblies of God leaders and members in Sokoban, Kumasi, Justice Osei Tutu emphasized that the court may award maintenance pending suit or financial provision to either party in a marriage where necessary.

“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,” the judge stated, encouraging wives to support husbands facing financial challenges due to old age, incapacitation, sickness, or other issues.

Justice Osei Tutu further explained that upon divorce, courts can order wives to pay alimony or property settlements to husbands, just as husbands traditionally do for wives. He also noted that children can petition courts to compel mothers to provide maintenance for neglected children, including school fees and family upkeep.

While addressing legal provisions, the judge reminded believers that marriage represents a sacred lifetime commitment requiring mutual respect and love, lamenting the increasing divorce rates among Christian marriages in Ghana.

Source:NKONKONSA.com