The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has expressed serious concern about the denial of property rights to women.
He affirmed the need for equal rights for women as spouses in marriage since women are supposed to be the partners of men.
The Speaker made these remarks during a call on him by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at Parliament House, Accra.
FIDA has been vocal and critical of the judgment of an Accra High Court which is generally believed to be unfair and inequitable in its distribution of property acquired during the subsistence of the marriage between self-touted billionaire Richard Nii Armah Quaye and his wife of 16 years, with whom he has three children, Joana Quaye.
With the Speaker to receive the petition from FIDA were the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection and 1st Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenzer Ahumah Djietro,. FIDA’s delegation included their President, Madam Gloria Ofori Boadu, Executive Director, Susan Aryeetey, Assistant Secretary, Ofosua Amagyei and Treasurer, Awuraa Konadu Kusi.
In the four-page petition signed by Ms. Gloria Ofori Boadu, FIDA noted that the failure of Parliament to pass the Spousal Property Bill has created an avoidable legal vacuum. Courts are left to resolve disputes without a comprehensive legislation framework to guide them. “Women continue to experience uncertainty about what counts as jointly acquired property, what “equitable distribution” means in practical terms, how direct and indirect contributions are to be assessed and how corporate structures should be treated where family wealth is involved.” The President of FIDA stated.
Citing the RNAQ judgment delivered by Justice Dorgu at the Accrs High Court as an example of a decision which triggered widespread public consternation, FIDA noted in the petition that the decision has also “exposed the confusion, tendency of some judges to be arbitrary and the public anxiety caused by the absence of clear legislative guidance”. Ms. Gloria Ofori Boadu further stated that since the RNAQ judgment became public, “FIDA has received numerous calls and expressions of concern from women and members of the public seeking clarification on the question of their rights in the event of dissolution of marriage or death of a spouse. Women are concerned that, in the absence of clear statutory rules, assets they helped to acquire or preserve may remain beyond their reach.”
The issue in the view of FIDA, goes to the heart of women’s economic dignity, security, independence and fundamental human rights. FIDA called on Parliament of Ghana to act now and that it is time for them to obey the constitutional imperative of enacting legislation in accordance with article 22 to regulate the rights of spouses, whether man or woman.
Responding to the call by FIDA, Rt. Hon.Bagbin affirmed his fullest support for the need for Parliament to pass the BILL as a matter of urgency. He recognised the valuable contribution and said he was not surprised that FIDA had visited him because of the strange ruling of the High Court. “We ourselves are very concerned about it. I am not surprised that you are here today because of the recent ruling of the courts.” He said.
The Speaker of Parliament affirmed his support for women in the affairs of the world. “Who can survive without you? That is why God created you. If they could have survived without you, God would not have created you, And in creating you, God made sure that whatever he had, he put it together for the betterment of humanity.”
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin said in view of the recent developments, “Parliament is more than ready and willing to pass the Bill under a certificate of urgency.”
The leadership of FIDA expressed their satisfaction with the meeting with the Speaker and thanked him for his support.