Mrs Joana Quaye (formerly married to Ghanaian business mogul Mr Richard Nii Armah Quaye) filed a petition for divorce and sought, among other reliefs, a financial settlement of GHC 50 million (about 4.5 million dollars at today’s rate).
The court granted certain reliefs and made various orders.
But in relation to the claim for a financial award of GHC 50 million, the presiding judge-His Lordship Justice Justin Kofi Dorgu, sitting as an Additional High Court Judge gave the following reasons (quoted in part from the judgment):
“This brings me to the issue of financial settlement. The question is whether the Petitioner is entitled to any financial award in addition to the property settlement already made.
My view has been that this right is based on the older concept of alimony – payable to enable a divorced woman to establish herself as an independent person – which arose when women were typically financially dependent on their husbands. Times have changed, with many women now in paid employment.
I therefore consider that there must be compelling reasons for such an award. I have taken into account the claim of GHC 50 million, which in my assessment was put forward without any evidentiary foundation. Marriage is not an investment, and no ordinary investment would yield such a return over 10 or 20 years.
On the other hand, the Petitioner has already received a one‑third share of the matrimonial home. The Respondent has been ordered to meet the children’s educational and health needs, and the Petitioner’s mobility needs are also addressed.
The Petitioner is physically attractive and capable of remarrying if she wishes. She is now gainfully employed, through her witness (PW3), in the same line of business as her former husband. With the experience she gained from the Quick Credit business, she may well become better off in her new role.
In the circumstances, and to discourage frequent divorces brought with the expectation of large financial gains, I award a financial relief of GHC 300,000 in favour of the Petitioner.”
