A native of the Upper East Region has formally petitioned the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs to review and reduce bride price requirements across the region to make traditional marriage rites more accessible and realistic in today’s economic situation.
Emmanuel Atindah, who hails from the Bongo District, is proposing that bride price be standardized to one cow and four sheep, arguing that the current demands have become financially burdensome and are threatening the preservation of cherished cultural practices.
In his three-page petition addressed to the President of the House, Chiana-Pio Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Mr. Atindah indicated what he described as a “growing disparity in bride price demands” among different communities in the Upper East Region. According to him, while some communities demand as many as four cows, others require two cows and up to seven sheep, creating confusion, particularly for inter-district marriages, and making it increasingly difficult for young men to perform traditional marriage rites.
“The inconsistency confuses inter-district marriages, places unbearable financial pressure on young men, and leads many to cohabit without performing traditional rites, which in turn weakens our customs,” Mr. Atindah wrote. He warned that the inability of many to fulfill these obligations has also contributed to broader social issues, including rising numbers of street children and fatherless homes. “This is not to devalue our tradition,” he stressed, “but to ensure that it remains relevant, inclusive, and sustainable for the younger generation.”
Beyond the plea to harmonize and reduce bride price, Mr. Atindah’s petition also addresses related cultural practices around divorce and child custody that he believes are equally in need of reform to reflect fairness and respect. He expressed concern about instances where women seeking divorce return the symbolic cock to end the marriage without formally informing the husband’s family or the designated family elders known as “pogsigras,” sometimes using third parties. Such actions, he argued, undermine the integrity of traditional divorce procedures and often lead to unnecessary conflict between families.
To restore order and respect in such processes, Mr. Atindah proposed that in all divorce cases—whether initiated by the man or the woman—both families and their “pogsigras” must be formally notified and present when the cock is returned. He further suggested that when divorce is mutually agreed upon, joint meetings involving elders from both families should be held to discuss matters of child custody and property division in a culturally sensitive manner.
On the issue of child custody, Mr. Atindah argued against the automatic assumption that mothers should take full custody of children when the bride price has been fully paid and accepted. According to him, full custody should only apply in exceptional circumstances, such as when no traditional marriage rites were performed, or if the father is incapacitated or deceased.
In concluding his petition, Mr. Atindah appealed to the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs to place these matters on the agenda of their next sitting or other relevant customary platforms for comprehensive deliberation. “The goal is to formulate uniform regional policies that will guide and protect all communities under your noble leadership,” he stated, expressing confidence in the wisdom and fatherly guidance of the House to safeguard tradition while adapting to modern realities.
The petition was also copied to the Secretary of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, district chiefs and sub-chiefs, community youth representatives, and the Upper East Regional Minister, signalling a call for broad stakeholder engagement in reshaping cultural practices for a more harmonious and inclusive society.
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The suggestion made by Hon. Emmanuel Atindana is loud able but will be very difficult to implement..
The performing of marriage customs vary from District to District, Like he stated other Districts give four cows but not at a goal. Depending on how you relate with your inlaws and also your capabilities of affording the cows. With this dory of four cows look at the way divorce is increasing what of reducing it to a cow and a number of sheep then the divorce will be worse. I think reducing it will not solve the problem but the cordiality and sustainability of the marriage should rather be paramount