Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has given a strong assurance that Parliament is fully prepared to fast-track the long-awaited Spousal Property Rights Bill to guarantee fairness, accountability, and legal certainty in the distribution of assets acquired during marriage.
Parliament, he said, is deeply concerned about the growing number of women and children who are left vulnerable after divorce, often facing serious challenges related to shelter, child welfare, and survival due to the absence of a comprehensive law on Spousal Property Rights.
The Speaker made the commitment after receiving a petition from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, which is urging lawmakers to expedite the passage of the legislation to protect spouses and children when marriages break down.
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Addressing the delegation, Mr Bagbin said, “We ourselves are very concerned about it. I’m not surprised that you are here today because of some recent rulings of some courts. We experience what you just recounted daily,” he said.
Parliament Ready to Act Immediately
He stressed that Parliament is not the obstacle to the passage of the bill and indicated that lawmakers are willing to approve the legislation without delay, even under a certificate of urgency.
“The problem is not Parliament. Parliament is more than willing, ready today, even to pass this bill under a certificate of urgency,” Mr Bagbin stated.
He, however, cautioned that the real challenge lies in the effective implementation and enforcement of the law once it is passed.
“You can pass a bill, it becomes law, and if they’re not implementing it, we’re back to square one.”
According to the Speaker, the campaign for Spousal Property Rights is not solely a women’s issue but a national cause that will benefit every Ghanaian family.
“What you’re doing today, your presence here, is not a fight for women or children. It’s a fight for all of us, including the men, who cannot survive without you.”
FIDA Ghana Pushes for Constitutional Justice
President of the Board of FIDA Ghana, Gloria Ofori-Boadu, reminded Parliament that Article 22 of the Constitution of Ghana mandates lawmakers to enact legislation regulating the property rights of spouses.
She noted that despite the constitutional directive, more than 33 years after the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, Ghana still lacks a dedicated law governing Spousal Property Rights.
According to her, while the courts, particularly the Supreme Court of Ghana, have established useful principles through case law, judicial decisions alone cannot offer the consistency and broad protection that a comprehensive statute would provide.
Children Bear the Greatest Burden
FIDA Ghana warned that many children continue to suffer displacement, deprivation, and uncertainty whenever marriages collapse, largely because of the lack of clear legal safeguards to protect their interests.
The organization, therefore, urged Parliament to act decisively to pass the bill and provide families with the legal security they deserve.