How RNAQ divorce case could reshape Ghanaian matrimonial law - Amanda Clinton

Ghanaian lawyer, Head of Chambers at Clinton Consultancy, Amanda Akuokor Clinton, has asserted that the high-profile divorce battle between businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye and his ex-wife, Joana Coffie, is now forcing Ghana’s legal system to confront deeper questions about marriage, wealth, and property distribution.

She made the remarks during an appearance on Good Evening Ghana, hosted by Paul Adom-Otchere.

“This case is no longer merely a celebrity divorce story. It has evolved into one of the most important modern conversations about matrimonial property, corporate ownership, and equitable contribution under Ghanaian law,” Clinton said.

Enough Is Enough: RNAQ vs Joana Coffie saga escalates with major update

According to her, the case has attracted significant public interest because it mirrors the realities of many Ghanaian marriages.

“Many women see themselves in this story, long marriages, sacrifice, supporting a spouse during the building years, and then questioning whether the law truly recognises invisible contributions,” she noted.

Clinton explained that Ghanaian courts have increasingly moved away from a blanket 50/50 split of marital assets, stating:

“The courts now increasingly ask: Was there a substantial contribution? Was there participation? Was there reliance? Was there a sacrifice? Would strict legal ownership create injustice?”

She added: “Marriage alone may not be enough. But equally, legal title alone is not decisive either. Equity looks beyond whose name is on the document. Equity asks who helped build the reality behind the document.”

Clinton also commented on the controversy surrounding the High Court’s award of GH¢300,000 and the GH¢5,000 monthly child maintenance, noting that many observers consider it modest compared to RNAQ’s financial standing.

She further referenced reports that an earlier settlement offer of about US$2 million was rejected by Joana’s legal team as inadequate, only for the court to ultimately award a significantly lower amount.

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“That is one of the realities of litigation. Court outcomes are uncertain. Sometimes parties reject settlements expecting significantly higher awards, and the final judicial outcome may differ sharply from expectations,” she noted.

On the trial judge’s reported comments about Joana’s attractiveness and remarriage prospects, Clinton said: “Many legal analysts would argue that attractiveness should not be a determining legal standard for assessing compensation in matrimonial property distribution.”

She stressed that the stronger legal focus should be on “contribution, economic partnership, sacrifice, beneficial interest, and fairness.”

Looking ahead to the appeal, Clinton said the higher courts are likely to focus on documentary evidence, shareholder records, constitutional fairness, and whether the trial court fully considered all relevant factors.

“If the appellate courts place substantial weight on founder evidence, alleged seed capital, long marriage, indirect contribution, and business partnership realities, then this case could become a landmark precedent in Ghanaian matrimonial jurisprudence,” she concluded.

JHM/BAI

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