Youth Perspectives on Inter-Ethnic Marriages in Ghana: The Case of Tafo-Pankrono Municipality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57125/FS.2025.03.20.01Keywords:
Ghana, inter-ethnic marriage, perspectives, youthAbstract
Literature on youth perspectives on inter-ethnic marriages in Ghana remains scarce. This study explored the perspectives of the youth engaged in inter-ethnic marriages in the Tafo-Pankrono Municipality. A qualitative approach and case study design were adopted. The purposive sampling technique was used to select twelve participants for the study. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the youth involved in inter-ethnic marriages view inter-ethnic marriage as a blend of cultures, a costly endeavour, and a thing of cultural and social significance but characterised by inheritance issues and misconstrued by the public. Findings also indicate that the youth engaged in inter-ethnic marriages because of the understanding of their partner’s ethnic group, love and care for one’s partner, career opportunities, and rejection from their ethnic group. Moreover, the study revealed the following challenges: distance challenges, financial challenges, bias and discrimination, communication challenges, and meeting cultural demands. The study concludes that youth involved in inter-ethnic marriage view it positively, whereas misconceptions regarding inter-ethnic marriage can only be dispelled through personal encounters with inter-ethnic marriage. The study recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Tafo-Pankrono Municipal Assembly collaborate with local cultural organisations and community leaders to organise cultural integration workshops. These workshops should promote the understanding, appreciation, and acceptance of diverse ethnic groups in Ghana.
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