Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Ghana, has been appointed as the chairperson for the second edition of the Marriage Governance Conference (MGC), which is set to take place on Tuesday, 19th August 2025 at the Ghana Shippers Authority in Accra.
Organized by MarryRight Ghana in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General and the Registrar General’s Department, the MGC has quickly established itself as Ghana’s premier forum for discussions on marriage laws, practices, and policies. This year, the conference will run under the theme, “Legal Love, Recognized Rights: Rethinking Marriage Governance for a Future of Accountability, Digital Inclusion, and Cultural Harmony.” It promises to bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders including legal experts, policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, academics, and members of the public, all aiming to engage with the evolving legal landscape surrounding marriage in Ghana.
Betty Mould-Iddrisu brings a wealth of experience and an advocacy-driven perspective to this leadership role. She is a distinguished lawyer with a Master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics, and is celebrated as Ghana’s first female Attorney General and Minister for Justice, serving from 2009 to 2012. Her career spans significant legal and governance roles both in Ghana and internationally, including heading the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat. She has been a fervent advocate for women’s rights, intellectual property law, and legal reforms, making her chairmanship highly anticipated for driving reform and meaningful dialogue at the conference.
The 2025 MGC is designed to be highly engaging, featuring three high-level panel discussions that address deeply relevant and often contentious issues: “Who Owns the Dead Body? – Custom, conflict, and the fight for the dead body in Ghana,” “The Rise of Radio Family Courts – Why the masses choose the mic over the judge,” and “Fake Marriage Documents: New Schemes and Strategies.” Additionally, there will be four expert presentations covering critical topics such as the legal protection of cohabiting spouses, the potential introduction of DNA testing at birth in Ghana, mental health challenges within marriage from a legal perspective, and rethinking child support frameworks for adults with disabilities.
With over 500 participants expected, the conference calls for the attendance of professionals, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, youth leaders, students, and interested members of the public. Attendance is free but requires advance registration due to limited seating capacity. The conference underscores the importance of inclusive, informed dialogue on marriage governance as Ghana navigates modernization while respecting cultural and legal traditions.
This edition of the MGC, under the able chairmanship of Betty Mould-Iddrisu, is expected to foster critical reflection and generate actionable insights that will influence future marriage policies and practices in Ghana, promoting accountability, justice, and social harmony within the framework of changing societal values and digital advancements.
