Ghanaian politician and lawmaker for Essikado-Ketan constituency, Hon. Joe Ghartey has been trending on social media after collecting a wedding ring and a Bible as bride price before giving his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The daughter of the MP, Miss Ewurama Ghartey tied the knot with the love of her life in a colourful traditional ceremony over the weekend.
Many people admired the former Railway Minister and private legal practitioner’s decision not to accept any dowry or marriage items from the groom’s family during the ceremony.
He asked that they bring only a ring and a Bible, rather than the usual long list of items such as money and clothes, drinks, and hampers.
This, he said, was something he learned from his father-in-law, who only asked that his family bring a Bible and a ring, which he believes is the symbol of every marriage.
In a video shared on his official Facebook, the former Attorney-General and Second Deputy Speaker blessed his daughter for finding a new home while explaining why he did not accept the long list of items
Ghanaian families usually request from a man who wishes to marry their daughters.
“Ewurama, God bless you. Your husband’s family brought the ring and Bible. When I went for your mother’s hand in marriage, I also took just a ring and Bible to the family. If you so wish, when you and your husband have children, you can take up this tradition. I might be dead and gone by that time, but it will be proper to do so. I can’t force you both, you are on this journey together,”
A spokesperson for the groom’s family also praised the renowned politician for not inflating his daughter’s bride price and instead accepting only a ring and a Bible in exchange for her hand in marriage.
He disclosed the conversations they earlier had with Mr Ghartey saying,
“When he came to see our father Joe Ghartey for his daughter’s hand in marriage, we had one of the most interesting conversations. He said that the couple had just begun life and didn’t want to burden them and as part of his wishes, only requested a ring that will symbolize that the woman is married and a Bible that will serve as a guide in time of trouble.”
Mr. Ghartey’s parting gift to the newlyweds was a prayer for God’s blessings on the marriage and a request that they become each other’s best friends, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
He said:
“Be true to each other always; share your joys and your burdens; love much and laugh much; be each other’s best friend. Always speak well of one another, even in private. And when things don’t go well, forgive as often as is required.
“Married life is an adventure and you embark today on that adventure together. Even though you are individuals, your covenant today makes the couple more important than either of you separately. God bless you abundantly,” Mr Ghartey urged as he took to his Facebook page to share visuals from the ceremony.