From Co-Founder to Courtroom: Inside Joana Quaye's battle for a fair share

Business mogul Richard Nii Armah Quaye, one of Ghana’s well-known philanthropists, has been in the news in recent weeks, not for his business ventures, acquisitions, or philanthropic work, but over a protracted divorce and property settlement battle with his ex-wife, Joana Quaye, co-founder, shareholder, and former director of Quick Credit Microfinance Company Limited, now Bills.

The case, which has reportedly been ongoing quietly for years, has now spilled into the public domain, reigniting national debate on matrimonial property rights, spousal contribution, and fairness in divorce settlements.

While public opinion remains divided, Joana Quaye’s position has increasingly centred on one key argument: that she played a significant role in building the “Quaye empire” and deserves a fair share of what was jointly created during the marriage.

How the public became aware of the case

The matter first gained public attention following a High Court ruling on an application filed by Joana Quaye, which had been delivered months earlier but later became public.

In her application, Joana had sought a lump sum of GH¢50 million as a divorce settlement, alongside other reliefs, arguing that her contribution to the marriage and business ventures had been substantial and should be recognised.

However, the court awarded her GH¢300,000 in the distribution of matrimonial property. She was also granted a one-third share of property at Dansoman and awarded two vehicles.

Court grants GH¢300k to business mogul's ex-wife in divorce settlement

The judge, Justice Kofi Dorgu, also ordered Richard Nii Armah Quaye to cater for the educational and medical needs of their children.

However, Joana’s camp has maintained that the outcome fell far short of recognising her contribution to both the marriage and the growth of the business empire she co-built.

Public reaction and controversy

The ruling sparked widespread public debate, particularly after portions of the judge’s reasoning came under scrutiny.

Gender advocates and civil society actors raised concerns about comments in the judgment that they considered inappropriate and irrelevant to legal determination.

Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo was among those who publicly criticised aspects of the ruling, arguing that some judicial remarks in divorce cases risk undermining the dignity of litigants, particularly women.

Petition to the Chief Justice

Following the public reaction, petitions were filed to the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, calling for a review of aspects of the judgment.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Ghana) also raised concerns, describing elements of the ruling as troubling and arguing that they raised broader questions about gender sensitivity in family law decisions.

Joana Quaye herself petitioned the Chief Justice, alleging gross misconduct and questioning the timing of the release of the full judgment.

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Her lawyers argue that although final orders were issued on January 20, 2026, the detailed judgment was only made available on April 20, 2026, raising concerns that the appeal window had effectively elapsed by the time the full reasoning became accessible.

Allegations raised in court filings

Court documents and related materials have also surfaced containing allegations of marital abuse and emotional distress during the marriage.

According to filings attributed to Joana Quaye, she alleges that she experienced verbal, emotional, and physical abuse during the marriage, including an incident in June 2014 shortly after the birth of their twins.

Witness statements cited in the documents describe alleged instances of physical assault and verbal abuse, claims which Joana says form part of the broader context of the breakdown of the marriage.

Richard Quaye’s position

In a televised interview on The Delay Show, Richard Nii Armah Quaye denied allegations of abuse and rejected claims that Joana played a foundational role in building his business empire, insisting that he had established himself financially before their marriage.

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Joana’s response

Joana Quaye, through her lawyers Messrs Dame & Partners, strongly disputed those claims, maintaining that she was present at the early stages of the business and contributed significantly to its development.

Her legal team also referenced court proceedings suggesting that Quick Credit Microfinance Company Limited was jointly established during the marriage in 2011, and that she held a 10 percent shareholding at incorporation.

According to court documents, she owned 100,000 shares, while Richard Nii Armah Quaye held 900,000 shares, representing 90 percent.

Her lawyers further allege that her shares were later transferred without her consent and without a court order, an issue central to her current legal challenge.

Defence from Richard Quaye’s lawyers

Lawyers for Richard Nii Armah Quaye, Sory & Partners, have rejected several of Joana’s claims, including allegations regarding the origins of the business and ownership structure.

They maintain that some of her assertions are inaccurate and dispute claims that company shareholding issues form part of the divorce proceedings.

Latest development; Settlement offer

In a move aimed at resolving the matter, Richard Nii Armah Quaye has reportedly offered to increase the court-awarded GH¢300,000 settlement to GH¢2 million.

According to a statement from his lawyers dated May 7, 2026, and read on Peace FM on May 22, 2026, the offer also includes additional property and vehicle arrangements.

These include the renovation and transfer of a jointly owned house, the allocation of a three-bedroom house in Dansoman, and replacement vehicles including a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and another car of Joana’s choice.

Despite the proposed settlement, Joana Quaye’s position remains anchored in her demand for recognition, not just in monetary terms, but in acknowledgment of her alleged role in building what has become one of Ghana’s notable private financial institutions.

Shocking revlations from the case so far:

Several wide claims have come up from the ongoing battle so far, including a court testimony in the ongoing divorce settlement dispute that businessman Richard Quaye engaged in multiple relationships outside his marriage.

It is also being alleged that one of the women involved held roles as both a director and shareholder in one of his companies.

Socialite and musician Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Real, has also been rumoured on social media to have had a relationship with Quaye, although no official confirmation has been made by either party

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