Former Attorney-General of Ghana, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Railways and Development Minister, Joe Ghartey, has rejected the bride price for her daughter’s daughter’s marriage on account that “she is not for sale.”
At the event, the MP for Essikado-Ketan stressed the fact that he accepted only the Bible and the ring because he was bent on not adding any more pressure to that of the newlyweds who are yet to start a family. He further explained that he started the custom when he married his wife.
“May God bless you, Ewurama. The Bible and ring were brought by your husband’s family. When I went to ask your mother’s family for her hand in marriage, I only brought a ring and a Bible.”
When you and your husband have children, you can continue this custom if you so choose. Even if I’m gone by then, it will still be appropriate to do so. I can’t make you both do it. Together, you are travelling this trip, he said.
The bridegroom and his family expressed their gratitude to him for his kind gesture and for being able to join the Ghartey family.
“We had one of the most fascinating conversations when we went to see our father, Joe Ghartey, to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He claimed that the couple had just given birth and he didn’t want to add to their load. He just asked for a Bible to act as a guide in times of struggle and a ring to signify that this woman is married.
That was all he asked for. In addition, he said that he would reject all items other than the Bible and the ring. We complied with the request out of our love for the woman. If you see us today, it’s because we have the things we need to ask for her hand in marriage.”