Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has sparked widespread public discussion after stating that a man who cannot prove he has at least GH¢100,000 in his bank account should not organise a wedding.
In a video sighted by Ghana Weekend on Monday January 12, the Founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International said weddings have been overly glorified, with many people forgetting that a wedding ceremony is not the same as marriage.
He said that the church should discourage weddings unless the man can demonstrate financial readiness, setting 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 stressed.
According to the Archbishop, many couples begin married life burdened by debt as a result of lavish wedding ceremonies they cannot afford.
“You don’t want to begin your marriage with debt,” he said, explaining that some newlyweds start receiving calls from vendors demanding payment even while they are on their honeymoon.
He cited examples of chair suppliers and drink vendors calling shortly after weddings to collect unpaid fees, describing it as a clear sign of financial unpreparedness.
He also criticised the obsession with white weddings and advised single women to stop pressuring men into organising elaborate ceremonies.
“Marriage is not wedding,” he said, adding that love alone is not enough to sustain a home.
“Love doesn’t pay the bills. Love doesn’t buy provision.”
As an alternative, the Archbishop proposed simple church marriage blessings without bridesmaids, best men, or receptions, encouraging couples to focus on building their lives together rather than spending on ceremonies.
He further described weddings as a liability for people still building wealth, noting that such expenses 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 said.
His comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some praising his call for financial responsibility, while others contend that the GH¢100,000 benchmark is impractical given the current economic realities.
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