Marital and relationship breakdowns occur for many reasons, and these reasons often vary from one society to another. People enter intimate relationships with specific expectations—emotional, economic, sexual, social, and cultural. When these expectations remain unmet, tensions arise, and relationships may eventually rupture.
For this article, I surveyed 28 Ghanaian adults—14 men and 14 women—to better understand why marriages and intimate relationships break down in the Ghanaian context. Below are the reasons respondents gave for divorce, separation, or the termination of intimate partnerships.
Reasons Men Divorce or Separate from Their Wives and Intimate Partners
Rudeness or Insolence Toward the Husband or In-Laws
Some men cited persistent rudeness or insolence by their wives toward them or toward their extended families, particularly in-laws. In such cases, a man may unilaterally decide to end the marriage, or he may come under pressure from family members to divorce a wife perceived as disrespectful.
Sexual Infidelity
Marital or sexual infidelity remains a major source of marital rupture. Men expect sexual exclusivity from their wives, and real or suspected infidelity often leads to mistrust, conflict, and eventual separation or divorce.
Laziness or Failure to Contribute Economically
Several men complained that their wives were unwilling to work or contribute financially to the household. In the Ghanaian context, many men expect their wives to supplement household income and support the management of chop money. Some respondents described such wives as “oye boadiwaa, onnyɛ boafɔwaa”—not a helper, but one who dissipates resources.
Religious Differences
Ghana is a religiously plural society, with Christianity, Islam, traditional religion, and other faiths coexisting. Religious differences within marriages can generate tension, frequent quarrels, and conflict, which in some cases escalate into separation or divorce.
Reasons Women Divorce or Separate from Their Husbands and Intimate Partners
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Women reported leaving relationships with men who abuse alcohol or illicit drugs. Such behavior often leads to neglect, financial instability, and domestic conflict.
Criminal Behavior
Some women separate from or divorce men who are thieves, armed robbers, or otherwise involved in serious criminal activity. Fear, stigma, and concern for personal safety motivate these decisions.
Failure to Provide Financially
Economic provision remains central to marital expectations in Ghana. Several women cited inadequate financial support, including insufficient chop money, as a key reason for ending relationships.
Failure to Perform Marital Rites
In some cases, relationships begin informally and evolve into cohabitation, with the expectation that marriage rites will eventually be performed. When a man delays or fails to formalize the relationship after a reasonable period, women may issue ultimatums and eventually terminate the relationship if the situation remains unchanged.
Domestic Violence
Although assault is a criminal offense under Ghanaian law, wife beating and violence against intimate partners remain common. Women often leave relationships to escape physical abuse. In many cases, family members advise women to withdraw from violent relationships to protect their lives and well-being.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that relationship and marital breakdowns in Ghana are shaped by a complex interplay of cultural expectations, economic pressures, moral values, and social norms. Addressing these challenges requires open communication between partners, family mediation, economic support systems, and stronger enforcement of laws that protect individuals—especially women—from abuse.
Understanding why relationships fail is an important first step toward building healthier, more stable unions in Ghanaian society.
