Mention and explain five difference between ordinance and Islamic marriage

Here are five differences between ordinance and Islamic marriage in Ghana:

1. Number of Spouses

   • Ordinance Marriage: This is strictly monogamous, meaning one man can only be married to one woman at any given time.
   • Islamic Marriage: This permits polygyny, allowing a man to marry up to four wives, provided he can treat them equitably.

2. Governing Law

   • Ordinance Marriage: It is governed by the Marriage Act (Cap 127), which is based on English common law and civil statutes.
   • Islamic Marriage: It is governed by Islamic personal law (Sharia), which dictates its rules and practices.

3. Solemnization Authority

   • Ordinance Marriage: It is solemnized by a Registrar of Marriages at a civil registry or by a licensed minister in a recognized church.
   • Islamic Marriage: It is solemnized by an Imam or an authorized Islamic cleric according to Islamic rites.

4. Dissolution Process

   • Ordinance Marriage: Dissolution requires a formal divorce decree issued by a civil court.
   • Islamic Marriage: Dissolution can occur through Islamic procedures such as talaq (initiated by the husband) or khula (initiated by the wife), which are then recognized by the state.

5. Nature of Contract

   • Ordinance Marriage: It is primarily a civil contract that gains legal validity through state registration.
   • Islamic Marriage: It is primarily a religious contract that is also recognized by the state, with the religious ceremony being the core act.