Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has ignited widespread public debate after suggesting that men who cannot demonstrate a minimum bank balance of GH¢100,000 should not organise weddings.
In a video sighted by Ghana Weekend on Monday, January 12, the Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International criticised what he described as the excessive glorification of wedding ceremonies, arguing that many people have lost sight of the distinction between a wedding and marriage.
According to the Archbishop, churches should discourage weddings unless a man can prove financial readiness, proposing GH¢100,000 as a benchmark.
“If the man cannot prove that he has at least GH¢100,000 in his bank account, he shouldn’t have a wedding,” he said.
He warned that many couples begin married life weighed down by debt due to lavish ceremonies they cannot afford.
“You don’t want to begin your marriage with debt,” he cautioned, explaining that some newlyweds receive calls from vendors demanding unpaid fees even while they are on their honeymoon.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams cited examples of chair suppliers and drink vendors pursuing payments shortly after weddings, describing such situations as clear evidence of financial unpreparedness.
He also criticised what he called an obsession with white weddings and urged single women to stop pressuring men into organizing elaborate ceremonies.
“Marriage is not wedding,” he said, adding that emotional attachment alone is insufficient to sustain a household.
“Love doesn’t pay the bills. Love doesn’t buy provision.”
As an alternative, he proposed simple church marriage blessings without bridesmaids, best men, or elaborate receptions, encouraging couples to prioritise building their lives together over expensive ceremonies.
He further described weddings as a financial liability for individuals still working toward economic stability, noting that such expenditures only make sense for those who are already financially established.
“Some of you don’t even have money to rent a one-bedroom apartment, yet you want a wedding,” he remarked.
The comments have triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some applauding the Archbishop’s call for financial responsibility, while others argue that the GH¢100,000 threshold is unrealistic given Ghana’s current economic conditions.
