Accra: Pastor John Wesley Amenuku Agble has openly criticized the prevalent practice of imposing elaborate marriage lists on young couples, asserting that such financial demands are leading to delayed marriages among the youth. During a church service that has since gained significant attention, Pastor Agble emphasized that families should refrain from burdening young men with excessive financial requirements when they seek to marry their daughters, especially when both prospective spouses are graduates striving to establish themselves financially.
According to Ghana Web, Pastor Agble questioned the need for extensive lists of items for prospective husbands, advocating instead for young men to honor their future in-laws according to their financial capacity. He stressed the importance of the initial meeting between two families as a time for relationship building, sharing meals, and exchanging pleasantries, rather than an opportunity to impose costly demands on prospective husbands.
Pastor Agble further argued that if a young man desires to honor the bride's parents, he should have the freedom to decide what he can afford, rather than being presented with a long list of items. He highlighted that financial demands are becoming a significant obstacle for some young people who genuinely wish to formalize their relationships but face barriers due to the costs associated with traditional and religious marriage ceremonies.
He pointed out that some couples opt to have children without formally marrying because they cannot afford the associated costs. Pastor Agble called for honest reflection from families and churches, noting that many young people struggle to secure stable employment and financial independence. He also criticized what he described as hypocrisy among some Christians, where couples live together and have children despite lacking formal marriage blessings from both families and the church.
Pastor Agble urged for a reevaluation of marriage-list practices, encouraging families to consider the economic realities confronting young people before making demands. He emphasized that marriage should be viewed as a union between two families and individuals rather than a financial transaction placing undue pressure on one party. Furthermore, he called on churches to engage families and young couples more actively on the issue and promote practices that encourage responsible and formal marriages.