Accra, Aug. 31, GNA – Marrify App, an initiative for recognising the importance of marriage, strengthening transparency, accountability, and public confidence in marriage administration in Ghana has been launched.
The Marrify App, is also a platform through which individuals can verify marriage venues, churches, pastors, and imams.
Speaking at the official launch at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Dr Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection noted that the initiative provide response to an important need for reliable information before couples enter into marriage.
Dr Lartey said marriage was more than a legal arrangement between two individuals.
She said marriage was an institution that had important social, cultural, and economic importance for individuals, children, families, and communities.
“Strong families contribute to social stability, responsible citizenship, and peaceful communities.
It is therefore important that efforts to strengthen marriage and family life begin not only after challenges emerge but also through preventive measures that promote informed decisions, mutual respect, responsibility, and healthy relationships.”
According to the Minister, such verification could help protect prospective couples from the consequences of engaging with persons or institutions that may not have the appropriate authority to solemnise marriages.
This initiative, she said also complemented the broader efforts of the government to promote responsible family life, protected the rights and dignity of women, children, and vulnerable persons as well as strengthened social protection systems.
“The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection recognises that harmonious family living requires more than formal recognition of marriage.
It requires trust, shared responsibilities, and non-violence. For this reason, the Ministry continues to support interventions that promote positive family relationships, prevent gender-based violence, protect children, and strengthen the capacity of families to provide a safe and supportive environment for their members.”
According to the Minister, the Ministry’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment were equally important because healthy families were built on relationships on which every member of the family was treated with dignity and had the opportunity to participate meaningfully in decision making that affected the household.
“We must recognise the important role of men and boys in building healthy families.
Promoting positive masculinities, responsible fatherhood, and constructive communication between partners is essential in preventing violence and creating homes where women, men, and children can live with respect and security.”
She said engagement of traditional leaders and elders was also important as they remained influential in shaping values, attitudes and bevahiour within communities.
According to her, their leadership could provide and promote responsible marriage practices, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for humanity, human dignity and the protection of women and children from violence and abuse.
She said the Ministry’s mandate was anchored on the promotion of gender equality, the protection of children and the strengthening of social protection.
“These responsibilities are closely connected to the well-being of families. When families are stable and supportive, children are more likely to grow in a safe environment. Women and men are better able to participate in economic and social and community activities and resolve issues peacefully.”
She said the launch of the Marrify App presented an opportunity to encourage prospective couples to approach marriage with greater awareness and greater responsibility.
It is equally an important opportunity to remind institutions and individuals involved in marriage of the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
She encouraged Marry Right Ghana to continue working closely with relevant government institutions religious bodies, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the platform provided accurate, reliable, and regularly updated information.
“The effectiveness of such a platform will ultimately depend on public confidence in the information its provide and the cooperation of institutions responsible for marriage registration and solemnisation.
She asked the public to reaffirm its commitment to building families with mutual respect, responsibility, equality, and peaceful co-existence.
Mr Dennis Adjei Dwomoh, Founder of Marry Right Ghana Limited noted that marriage and divorce records, even 20 years down the line, may have an impact on inheritance, it may have an impact on property settlement, even in terms of widowhood rights.
“That is why we keep all these records together, including marriage records. We keep on updating the database regularly and our local assemblies register information. We compile data from as far back as 1886 – marriage venues, marriage officers, the marriage records, and divorce cases,” Mr Dwomoh said.
He noted that as the population expand, these records “stay with you for life.
“We have an app where you can verify marriages. You can now find that information for free, “he added.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Joyce Danso
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