GH - PRINCE OWUSU VS SABINA COLECRAFT

The Petitioner filed the Petition on 26th November, 2021 praying for the reliefs below:

1. That the said marriage celebrated on the parties on 2/12/18 be dissolved forthwith.

2. That the custody of the child be granted to Respondent with reasonable access to the Petitioner; thus the child shall spend all vacations with the Petitioner.

3. The Petitioner shall be respondent for the educational needs of the child and responsible for his medical expenses as well as monthly maintenance.

Parties were married under Ordinance at Unique Christian Tabernacle (Spoken Word Church) at Darkuman Kokompe. Thereafter the parties cohabited at House No 117 Mohammed Abdallah Street Chantan –Accra.

There is one issue of the marriage namely Oheneba Owusu Agyei (2 years). Petitioner is an Independent Information Technology Expert whilst Respondent is an Employee of Hynes Academy School, Sakaman.

PETITIONER’S CASE

It is the Petitioner’s case that the marriage between the parties has broken down beyond reconciliation due to the unreasonable behaviour of the Respondent and that all attempts by members of their families to resolve their differences has not been successful.

Petitioner testified that Respondent is disrespectful towards him and is in an amorous relationship with another man. That parties have ceased sexual consortium for over one year now eventhough they live in the same house. It is Petitioner’s case that he saw a text of another man claiming to be the biological father of the issue of the marriage on Respondent’s phone and that that incident has caused him emotional and psychological stress and his health is deteriorating with high blood pressure. Petitioner testified further that the marriage was dogged with arguments, quarrels and multiple insults and that it is impossible and unreasonable to remain married to the Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S CASE

Respondent in her Answer and Cross-Petition denied every allegation in the Petition and stated that the challenges the parties face in their marriage are normal with every marital relationship and that she has not done anything to put their marriage in jeopardy. Respondent testified that the parties hardly had quarrels and arguments and that Petitioner’s uncle who witnessed the marriage between the parties has severally called the Petitioner for a meeting but he declined and has refused to avail himself for settlement.

Respondent testified that she has never been in a relationship with any other man. That the me