BRIDE TOKEN PRACTICES IN GHANA

Bride price or wealth is an amount of money or property or wealth paid by the groom or his family to the parents of a woman upon marriage of their daughter to the groom. It is the opposite of dowry. However, in Ghana many people often confuse the two words and usually use them interchangeably as if they are the same or similar in meaning. Despite the fact many young prospective husband in Ghana complain that they could not raise the sometimes unreasonable token demanded by the bride’s family, they are nonetheless made to cough up before marrying regardless of the effect on the financial viability of fresh young couple. The agreed price may or may not, however, intend to reflect the perceived value or premium rate of the bride.

Though the culture in Ghana is fairly similar especially among those of the same religious belief, payment of the price may vary spatially between different ethnic groups, clans or social classes. The practice of bride price payment it must be noted often forms the basis of gender relations, power and roles within the family. Thus as the under listed ethnic groups in Ghana are characterized in terms of the payment of the bride wealth, you should be able to decipher and discern the kind of place reserve for the bride within these ethnic groups.,

FOR THE GA

The Ga is an ethnic group in the Greater Accra Region in Ghana. It is part of the Dangme ethnic group. The Ga people are grouped as part of the Ga–Dangme ethnolinguistic group. The modern day Adangbe include the people who live in Osu, Shai, La, Ningo, Kpone, Osudoku, Gbugbla (Prampram), Ada and Agotime who speak similar dialects.

1. Ten pieces of white cloth (for pregnancy & outdooring [christening])

2. Twenty crates of Club beer (10 for the mother-in-law, 10 for father-in-law)

3.  Albion or Nissan Bluebird car

4. Four live pigs (for domedo)

5. One akasanoma radio (diffusion box for listening to Obunu 96.5 FM)

6. Two years rent advance (as you the prospective husband will be staying with your in-laws)

7. One CD compilation of DJ Gblagazaa’s Mixx featuring Screwface

8. One pair Trawler

9. One drum of akpeteshie (locally distilled gin for libation sake)

10. Valid residence preferably in James Town, Mpoase, Mamprobi, Chorkor, Teshie Tsui Bleeoo, Teshie Tiafi ahe

The Asante

Asante are an Akan people who live predominantly in Ashanti Region of Ghana. They speak Twi, an Akan dialect. The spiritual center of the Asante alliance is the mystical Golden Stool. It is believed to have descended out of the skies in the late 17th century as a result of the prayers of Okomfo Anokye, chief priest of the King of Asante, Nana Osei Tutu. Ashanti are one of Africa's matrilineal and patrilineal societies where line of descent is traced through the female and male line. However descent of a family throne is traced to the former. Historically, this mother-progeny relationship determined land rights, inheritance of property, offices and titles. It is also true that the Ashanti inherit from the paternal side of the family.

1. Valid visa to Germany, Spain, or USA
2. Shares in Anglogold Ashanti Mining Company
3. One store at a Commercial Business District
4. A degree in "yobbing" (bragging)
5. DNA Test results to prove linkage to the Asantehene (paramount chief)
6. Middle School Leaving Certificate (standard 7 accepted)
7. Five set of mortar and pestle
8. Cassava and plantain farm (no fufu powder)
9. Speak fluent "capo" language
10. One copy of Everyday English
11. Valid residence in areas such as Abossey Okai, North Kaneshie, Sukura, Russia

The Ewes

The Ewe people inhabit the territory equivalent roughly to the south-eastern quarter of Ghana largely in the Volta region. The Ewe are essentially a patrilineal people; the founder of a community was the established chief, and was then usually succeeded by his paternal relatives. Most Ewe can trace male ancestors to their original villages and make their territorial divisions along those lines. Extended families are the most important units of Ewe social life. Ewe have never supported a hierarchical concentration of power within a large state.
1. Ten kilogrammes of "atama" snuff (for the father-in-law)
2. Oversized Tema-station suit (for future growth and expansion)
3. Cassava farm
4. Multi-colored XXXL towel for father-in-law (if he's from the Southern Volta preferably red colour)

5. Ten pieces of white "Obroni waawu" singlets (used clothings for the father in-law)
6. Eight pieces of multicolored vest (for Mother-in-law) to be used on market days
7. One stall at Asigame (for mother-in-law)
8. Connections to work in government agencies preferably post offices and hospitals
9. Twenty sets of neatly wrapped chewing sticks (Twapea)
10. My First Copy Book (for retired fisherman now turned student)
11. Valid residence preferably in these locations: Madina, Agbogba, Adentan, Haatso, Libya Quarters, Ashaley Botwe