A seasoned private legal practitioner and journalist, Kuuku Welsing Jones, has said that husbands who find themselves in financially vulnerable situations are equally entitled to maintenance support under Ghanaian law, just as wives have long exercised such rights.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law on Sunday, September 28, Mr. Jones addressed a question on whether men shy away from seeking spousal support due to ignorance of the law or the stigma attached.
He noted that while women have historically leveraged maintenance provisions, especially in cases of separation or when children are involved, men often refrain from doing so, either because they are unaware of their rights or because societal perceptions discourage them.
“Culturally, we always thought men should be at the forefront, but things have changed. The law makes provision for needy husbands just as it does for wives. If I fall in that category, I would go to court and let my wife take care of me,” he stated.
Mr. Jones further highlighted the changing dynamics of gender roles within Ghana’s judiciary and society at large. Over the past two decades, he observed, the number of female judges has risen significantly, with women now occupying assertive roles once dominated by men.
He also reflected on broader cultural attitudes, citing research that suggests that as women advance in education and career success, they often seek partners of equal or higher social standing, which can complicate marital dynamics. “Women are not weaker. In fact, they are very smart, and that is why society kept them under for so long. Now they are asserting themselves,” he remarked.
Despite lingering stereotypes, Mr. Jones insisted that the law is clear: a needy husband has every right to seek maintenance from a well-to-do wife who refuses to fulfill her obligations. The challenge, he suggested, lies in men overcoming stigma and boldly exercising their rights.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
