The Court of Appeal has upheld a judgment awarding GH¢40,000 in damages to a woman after a married man failed to fulfil his promise to marry her.
The ruling reinforces the legal principle that a promise to marry may, under certain circumstances, be enforceable where one party can prove they suffered loss or harm after relying on that promise.
According to court documents, the woman sued the man after he allegedly assured her that he would marry her despite already being legally married. She argued that she relied on those assurances and suffered emotional distress, reputational damage and financial loss when the relationship ended without the promised marriage.
The appellate court dismissed the man’s appeal and affirmed the lower court’s decision, maintaining the award of GH¢40,000 in damages for breach of promise to marry.
The judgment has sparked widespread public discussion on social media and within legal circles, with many debating the legal consequences of promises made in romantic relationships and the extent to which such commitments can attract civil liability.
Legal experts say while breach of promise to marry cases are uncommon, Ghanaian courts may award damages where there is sufficient evidence that a promise was made, relied upon and subsequently broken, resulting in demonstrable harm to the aggrieved party.
The decision is expected to add to the growing body of case law on civil claims arising from failed relationships and could influence similar cases brought before the courts in the future.
