ACCRA, GHANA — A court has upheld an order for a married man to pay GH¢40,000 in damages to a woman for breach of promise to marry.
The ruling affirms that a promise to marry, once made and relied upon, can attract legal consequences even when the man is already married.
Court Upholds Damages
The Court found that the man had made a clear promise of marriage to the woman, later referred to as his _‘side chick’_, and subsequently failed to fulfill it.
In upholding the award, the court held that the breach caused the woman loss and distress, warranting compensation of GH¢40,000.
Legal experts note that an action for _breach of promise to marry_ is still recognized under Ghanaian law. To succeed, the plaintiff must prove that a definite promise was made, that she relied on it, and that the defendant failed to marry her without lawful excuse.
Implications
The decision serves as a reminder that personal representations and promises can have financial and legal consequences, regardless of a person’s marital status.
The case has since generated wide discussion on social media about relationships, accountability, and the limits of such claims in court.
