Traditional marriage does not stop spouses from sharing property after divorce – Vim Lady

Ghanaian media personality Vim Lady has weighed in on discussions surrounding property sharing after divorce, clarifying that couples who marry traditionally are also entitled to share jointly acquired properties when their marriage ends.

Speaking in a video shared on social media on June 14, 2026, Vim Lady dismissed claims that spouses who marry traditionally cannot make claims to each other's properties after separation.

According to her, Ghana's laws do not limit the sharing of marital property to only couples who marry through ordinance or court weddings.

"Those saying that because someone married traditionally, they will not share properties when they divorce, that's not entirely true. Whether you marry traditionally, in court, or through an Islamic wedding, you can still share properties with your partner when the marriage ends," she said.

She explained that although couples may choose to settle matters privately without involving the courts, the law recognises marriages and provides avenues for property distribution upon divorce.

“When both spouses understand each other and decide not to let the court intervene and you’re both sure you can handle everything, then you can go ahead and do that,” she stated.

Vim Lady further noted that Ghana's legal framework acknowledges that married couples may acquire assets together during their union and, therefore, such properties may be subject to sharing when the marriage is dissolved.

SoAfrican is not guIlty until the court says so – Vim Lady

“In Ghana here, we have to thank our forefathers because they put in the constitution that when people get married, the law is aware that you both have acquired properties together, so you have to share them. The constitution didn’t say that unless you do a court wedding or white wedding before you can share the properties,” she shared.

Touching on traditional marriages, she explained that a customary marriage can be registered, but registration does not automatically convert it into an ordinance marriage.

Referencing PNDC Law 112, she stated that individuals who contract customary marriages are expected to register them, adding that registered customary marriages remain customary marriages despite the registration.

"President Rawlings left us a law, which is Law 112. The law states that whoever gets married traditionally is supposed to register the marriage. If you register it, it doesn't become an ordinance marriage. It remains a traditional marriage that has been registered," she explained.

She added that in cases where a registered customary marriage ends, the parties are required to notify the institution where the marriage was registered so the dissolution can be properly documented.

“When you’re divorcing your traditional marriage, it’s in the law that you have to go where you registered the marriage for them to dissolve the marriage. If it’s a white wedding too, you still have to go to court for them to dissolve it. Don’t let anyone deceive you that since you married traditionally, you wouldn’t have a share in your partner’s properties,” she noted.

Using actress Nana Ama McBrown as an example, Vim Lady explained that properties acquired before marriage generally remain the personal property of the individual owners, while assets acquired during the marriage could become subject to discussions on distribution.

"Nana Ama McBrown had properties before marriage and so did her husband. What may be shared are the properties acquired during the marriage. However, if both parties understand each other, they can decide among themselves who takes what," she said.

Vim Lady added, “If they had registered their marriage at the assembly, that’s when they would go and inform them about the separation, so they should cancel the wedding and they would also return the marriage certificate that was given to them.”

@afia_vimlady Efie aware/Traditional marriage can be dissolved in court #ghanaians #ghanalaw #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #kumasi #marriage ♬ original sound - afia_vimlady