Marriages Act 1884-1985, three forms of marriages recognized in Ghana namely: Customary Marriage (Part one), Marriage of Mohammedans (Part two formerly Cap 129) and Christian and other marriages (Part three formerly Cap 127)
Appomasu v. Bremawuo – per Apaloo CJ two types of marriage are monogamy and polygamy, after customary marriage church ceremony wasn’t a marriage under ordinance but a marriage blessed by church, because there was no delivery to the reverend father of either a registrar’s certificate or two marriage officer’s certificates as required by S 31 of Cap 127, nor sign a certificate or were given certificate, nor did reverend explain effect of marriage on succession to property nor did he deliver a certificate to registrar of marriages.
AG of Ceylon v Reid – Marriage can’t restrict change of religion and personal law, valid marriage and not bigamy where accused upon ordinance marriage converted to Muslim and married another.
Barake v Barake – per Brobbey J requirements of valid Mohammedan marriage, proposal, acceptance, in presence of two witnesses, all at same meeting, within one week after celebration couples, registered priest and two witnesses go and register at registry under Cap 129. The presentation of registrar’s certificate in court was proof of intention to marry and mere illiteracy doesn’t affect validity of marriage that one was mistaken as contracting Muslim marriage though ordinance. One can’t convert the nature of marriage by religion change, unless steps taken according to law to rid oneself of the bond of marriage.