A concerned native of Bongo District in the Upper East Region has formally petitioned the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs to review and harmonize bride price customs across the region, proposing a standardized amount of one cow and four sheep.
In a three-page letter addressed to the President of the House, Chiana-Pio Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Emmanuel Atindah warned that the current high and inconsistent bride price demands are discouraging traditional marriages and straining young men financially.
“There is a growing disparity,” Mr. Atindah wrote, “with some communities demanding up to four cows, while others ask for two cows and as many as seven sheep. This not only confuses inter-district marriages but drives many into cohabitation without fulfilling traditional rites.”
He argued that this trend threatens the survival of cherished customs and is contributing to wider social problems, including a rise in street children and homes without father figures.
Mr. Atindah emphasized that his proposal is not an attempt to diminish tradition, but a call to preserve it by making it inclusive and sustainable for the younger generation. “This is about safeguarding our heritage while recognizing today’s economic reality,” he stated.
Beyond bride price, the petition also tackled divorce customs and child custody practices. Mr. Atindah called for reforms that would require both families and traditional elders—known as pogsigras—to be formally notified and present during all divorce proceedings, particularly when symbolic items like the cock are returned to end a marriage.
On child custody, he challenged the prevailing assumption that mothers automatically take full custody when bride price is paid, advocating instead for custody decisions to be made jointly by families, except in special cases such as the father’s death or incapacity.
He urged the House of Chiefs to prioritize these issues during their next sitting and called for the creation of unified, culturally respectful guidelines for all communities in the region.
The petition has also been copied to the Secretary of the House, district and sub-chiefs, community youth groups, and the Upper East Regional Minister, signaling a broad call for cultural dialogue and reform.
If adopted, the proposed changes could reshape traditional marriage practices in the region, making them more accessible while preserving their core values.
