Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams Sparks Debate With Call for Financial Readiness Before Marriage

This morning's Big Convo, has reignited public debate around wedding culture, financial readiness and societal pressure, following comments by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams on marriage and money.

During the conversation, the Culture Squad examined the Archbishop’s assertion that men should have substantial savings, reportedly up to GH¢100,000 before marriage, and his call for simpler, low-cost wedding ceremonies. However, the panel made it clear that the issue goes beyond one man’s opinion, touching on deeper cultural expectations and personal choices surrounding weddings in Ghana today.

The Squad agreed that weddings have increasingly become social spectacles rather than intimate celebrations. According to the panel, many couples feel compelled to stage elaborate ceremonies to meet societal expectations, often at the expense of their financial stability.

C Real, Lerny Lomotey and Aimee Cherry echoed the Archbishop’s concerns, noting that borrowing heavily for weddings, especially without a clear repayment plan can place unnecessary strain on couples at the very beginning of their marriages.

“If you are not financially ready, do what your money can afford,” one Culture Squad member argued, stressing that marriage itself should not be delayed simply because a lavish wedding is unattainable.

Jay Foley on the other hand, maintained that borrowing is a common financial practice across many areas of life, including education, business and major personal milestones.

From this perspective, the real issue is not borrowing, but financial discipline and accountability. If a couple understands the terms of a loan and has a realistic repayment plan, Jay argued that borrowing for a wedding should not automatically be seen as irresponsible.

However, the rest of the Squad insisted that weddings are non-essential expenses and should not justify debt, particularly when couples are still struggling with basic needs such as housing and long-term financial security.

Another key point raised during the Culture Squad discussion was the misconception that simple weddings are “cheap.” Lerny noted that a small, intimate ceremony can still be elegant, meaningful and well-planned without the financial burden of hosting large crowds.

While Archbishop Duncan-Williams’ comments provided the catalyst for the conversation, the Culture Squad emphasised that the broader issue lies in mindsets, priorities and cultural conditioning. The discussion underscored the need for more honest conversations around marriage preparation, financial literacy and redefining success beyond public approval.