A former Assembly Member for the Bugsonga Electoral Area and cultural enthusiast from Sirigu in the Upper East Region, Ayeoh-Duko Akobulgozotipelba, has sparked fresh debate after dismissing claims that bride price demands, particularly those involving cattle, are excessive and discourage marriage.
Speaking on the Love Affairs programme on A1 Radio, Mr. Akobulgozotipelba described critics of traditional bride price systems as “not serious,” insisting that such arguments ignore the deeper cultural and social meaning behind the practice.
His comments follow a viral social media controversy in which a young woman from the Builsa area described local bride price customs as “cheap,” triggering widespread discussion across the Upper East Region and beyond.
Mr. Akobulgozotipelba, however, shifted the focus to communities where cattle form a central part of bride price, explaining that the practice is rooted in appreciation rather than transaction.
“When a family raises a daughter, feeding her, caring for her, and guiding her into adulthood, and she eventually marries into another family, there must be a form of appreciation,” he said.
According to him, items such as cows, sheep, or goats are not arbitrary demands but symbolic gestures acknowledging the effort invested in raising the woman.
He further revealed that in some traditions, marriage is formally communicated not only to the living but also to ancestors. This is done through a symbolic “file,” or report sent through family elders to the bride’s lineage, signifying her transition into another family.
“That moment marks the end of her status as a single woman. She now belongs to a family, a community, and a territory,” he explained.
Contrary to perceptions of rigidity, Mr. Akobulgozotipelba emphasized that bride price payments, whether two, three, or four cows, are often not required as a lump sum.
“It is not compulsory to gather everything in one day,” he noted. “Some people take years. Others even marry and live peacefully without completing it immediately.”
He added that variations exist across communities, with some families accepting fewer animals or allowing delayed payments.
In his most controversial remarks, Mr. Akobulgozotipelba attributed complaints about high bride price to personal attitudes rather than systemic issues.
“These are people who are not ready for responsibility. They are lazy, greedy, and unwilling to build a future,” he said.
He argued that the same individuals who complain about paying bride price often spend heavily on alcohol, social events, and modern weddings.
“How much is a wedding? How much is a bottle of beer? People spend far more on those things, yet complain about cows meant to honour a family,” he added.
Mr. Akobulgozotipelba also highlighted a lesser-discussed aspect of bride price, its role in supporting the bride’s family structure.
He explained that cattle received can help the bride’s brothers or relatives secure marriages of their own, creating a cycle of mutual support within extended families.
“It helps fill the vacuum. The family that has ‘lost’ a daughter gains resources to build again,” he said.
The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions between tradition and modernity, particularly among younger generations navigating economic realities and evolving social norms.
While some continue to advocate for reforms or reductions in bride price, Mr. Akobulgozotipelba maintains that the issue is overstated.
“To compare the value of a lifelong partner to a few cows and call it expensive, that, to me, is not a serious argument,” he concluded.
A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Samuel Adagom | Bolgatanga
