The importance of customary marriage was emphasized by Reverend Alice Blunya Ankutse, the Ho Fiave Parish Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
She stressed that customary marriage should be respected as the foundation of all marriages, contrary to the misconception that it is merely an engagement.
Speaking at a three-day retreat of the Ho East Presbytery Catechists Union in Awudome Tsito, Reverend Mrs Ankutse highlighted the significance of traditional marriage in the celebration of ordinance marriages. She pointed out that without customary marriage, ordinance marriages could not be legally recognized.
Additionally, Reverend Mrs Ankutse cautioned against the celebration of ordinance marriages by pastors who are not gazetted, as such marriages would not hold up in the eyes of the law. She also noted that ordinance marriages must be conducted in registered premises to be valid under the law.
Furthermore, she advised couples planning to enter into ordinance marriages to ensure they follow the appropriate legal procedures to avoid any legal complications in the future. Reverend Mrs Ankutse also urged Catechists to ensure that their chapels are registered to enable the celebration of marriages in accordance with the law.
The theme of the retreat was “Care for God’s Creation, The Role of the Church,” emphasizing the church’s responsibility towards environmental stewardship. Rev. Alice Ankutse’s insights on the legal aspects of marriage underscore the importance of upholding traditional practices within the framework of legal requirements.
