An Orthodox Anglican bishop, Akolgo Dominic Alale Azumah, has called for a rethinking of how marriage is practised in Ghana, proposing that Christian “white weddings” be integrated into traditional marriage rites to reduce financial pressure on couples.
The bishop, who serves with the Orthodox Anglican Church of Ghana, Northern Mission, made the remarks during a discussion on the Love Affairs programme on A1 Radio, amid ongoing public debate over bride price practices in the Upper East Region, particularly following viral commentary from the Builsa area.
Weighing into the discussion, he argued that, contrary to popular belief, it is traditional customs, not church ceremonies, that fundamentally validate a marriage.
“If you take someone’s daughter and perform a church wedding without the knowledge and consent of her family, that cannot be considered a valid marriage,” he said. “It is tradition that authenticates the union; the church only blesses it.”
He explained that across many Ghanaian societies, marriage is rooted in family consent, community recognition, and customary rites, which typically precede any religious involvement.
The bishop expressed concern that many couples face what he described as “double expenses,” first meeting traditional marriage obligations, including bride price, and then organising costly white weddings.
“After meeting all customary requirements, people still feel compelled to go to the church or mosque and incur another set of costs. This is what is making marriage seem expensive,” he said.
He noted that in some denominations, couples who do not undergo church solemnisation may face restrictions, including limited participation in certain religious rites, which adds pressure to organise formal weddings.
To address the issue, he proposed incorporating religious blessings into traditional ceremonies.
“Why not invite the priest or imam to the customary ceremony and let them perform the blessing there?” he said. “That way, we maintain tradition while fulfilling religious expectations without duplicating costs.”
According to him, such an approach would preserve cultural practices while making marriage more accessible, especially for young people.
He linked current frustrations over bride price and marriage costs to broader social changes, including economic pressures, modernisation, and evolving religious expectations.
He added that while some viral content may exaggerate the issue, it has also sparked important conversations about adapting traditions to present realities.
“There is more to our marriage systems than what is being discussed on social media,” he said, referencing his academic research on marriage practices in Ghana.
He urged traditional leaders, religious authorities, and communities to engage in dialogue to harmonise customs with contemporary life.
“We must evaluate what we have inherited and make necessary adjustments, not to discard tradition, but to refine it in a way that serves today’s generation,” he said.
His comments add to the ongoing national discussion on bride price, cultural identity, and the cost of marriage.
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