Intra-Cultural Issues on Polygamous Marriages in Ghana: A Case Study of the People of Anlo in the Volta Region

Abstract

Polygamous marriage is persistently prevalent in several sub-Saharan countries and remains a socio-cultural issue in the world. A considerable body of research has concluded that polygamy has impacts on children's and wives' psychological, social and family functioning but not much was done on this in Ghana. From a case study of the people of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana, this study aimed to examine the socio-cultural issues on polygamous marriages among the people and its impact on the family especially on women and children.  A random sample of 61 respondents from 61 different families (31 senior high school children and 30 women) were used. Structured questionnaires on socio-demographics, socio-cultural practices of polygamy, family relationship qualities and four psychosocial scales were used to elicit responses from subjects for analysis. The results indicated high prevalence of polygamy in the study area with inverse relationship between education and attitudinal acceptance of polygamy. The study concludes that polygamy affects family quality; creating acrimony, tension, jealousy and competition among co-wives and step-siblings. It also affects psychosocial life of the family members, predominantly in women and children. Targeted sensitization, awareness of the implications of polygamy, educational and economic empowerment are key steps to address this, while focusing on children as the potential key entry points to addressing this in the next generations.