The ongoing high-profile divorce dispute between businessman Richard Nii-Armah Quaye (RNAQ) and his ex-wife, Joana Quaye, has taken a new turn as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Ghana) formally petitions the Chief Justice over what it describes as troubling judicial reasoning in the case.

The petition, submitted to the Office of the Chief Justice, does not seek to overturn the ruling delivered on January 20, 2026, but rather raises broader concerns about the language, approach, and implications of the judgment delivered by Justice Justin Kofi Dorgu.

The group is calling for urgent judicial education on matrimonial and gender-sensitive adjudication, warning that aspects of the ruling risk undermining public confidence in the justice system.

A Controversial Divorce Ruling

The controversy stems from the High Court’s decision in the case of Joana Quaye v. Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, which concluded a four-year legal battle over divorce and property settlement.

In that ruling, the court significantly reduced Joana Quaye’s GH₵50 million claim to GH₵300,000, alongside other reliefs including child custody, monthly maintenance, and partial property allocation.

Justice Dorgu, who presided over the case while serving as an additional High Court judge, justified the decision by questioning the legal basis of the claim and asserting that “marriage is not an investment.”

The judgment also suggested that modern women are financially independent, requiring compelling reasons for substantial financial awards after divorce.

While the ruling itself has already been appealed by Joana Quaye’s legal team, it is the judge’s reasoning and commentary that has now triggered institutional concern from FIDA Ghana.

FIDA’s Core Concerns

In its detailed petition, FIDA Ghana emphasized that its concerns are not directed at the court’s authority or judicial independence but at specific aspects of the reasoning that it believes are inconsistent with constitutional principles and gender-sensitive adjudication.

The group expressed strong disapproval of comments in the judgment referring to the petitioner’s physical attractiveness and her perceived ability to remarry.

According to FIDA, such remarks are irrelevant to legal determination and risk introducing gender stereotypes into judicial decision-making.

The petition argues that these comments diminish the dignity of women and create the impression that entitlement to justice could be influenced by appearance or societal perceptions of desirability.

FIDA further criticized the characterization of the GH₵50 million claim as “ridiculous,” noting that while courts are entitled to reject claims, the language used must remain measured and grounded in legal reasoning rather than dismissive or emotive expressions.

“Invisible Labour” And Marital Contributions

A central issue raised by FIDA is the court’s perceived failure to adequately consider the non-financial contributions of women in marriage.

The organization stressed that marital contributions often extend beyond direct financial input to include domestic, emotional, managerial, and developmental roles that support family and business growth.

By downplaying these contributions, FIDA warns, the judgment risks sending a message that such “invisible labour” carries little or no legal value in property distribution.

The group also took issue with the judge’s suggestion that financial awards could serve as a deterrent to divorce, arguing that courts are not institutions for regulating personal decisions through moral reasoning but for applying the law fairly to facts.

FIDA Ghana anchored its petition in Ghana’s constitutional and legal framework, particularly Article 22 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equitable distribution of property acquired during marriage.

The group cited the recent Supreme Court decision in Amma Owusu Sarpong v. Kojo Owusu Sarpong (December 2025), which reaffirmed that both direct and indirect contributions must be considered and that equitable distribution requires a contextual, evidence-based approach.

According to FIDA, the High Court’s reasoning appears to depart from these established principles and raises concerns about adherence to binding judicial precedent, as required under Article 129(3) of the Constitution.

Public Reaction 

The petition highlights the widespread public reaction that followed the judgment, noting that discussions have extended beyond legal circles into social spaces, markets, and media platforms.

FIDA reports receiving numerous concerns from women and members of the public seeking clarity on the implications of the ruling.

Part of the public unease, the group notes, is tied to the widely known wealth and lifestyle of RNAQ, whose public persona includes luxury acquisitions, philanthropic gestures, and high-profile celebrations.

This contrast has intensified scrutiny of the court’s financial orders and reasoning.

FIDA cautions that judicial language in such cases does not remain confined to courtrooms but shapes societal perceptions of marriage, divorce, and the value of women’s contributions.

Call For Judicial Education And Reform

In response to these concerns, FIDA Ghana is urging the Chief Justice to implement educational and administrative measures aimed at strengthening gender-sensitive adjudication among judges and magistrates.

The organization is advocating for a judicial approach that aligns with constitutional values of dignity, equality, and fairness, and that avoids reliance on stereotypes or irrelevant considerations in family law cases.

It stressed that its intervention is not intended to undermine the judiciary but to support the development of a justice system that is responsive to the lived realities of women and children.