Ethnicity and Divorce in Ghana

Abstract

In recent years, divorce rates have been on the rise over the world and sub-Sahara Africa has not been left out. One of the factors that have been agreed by researchers to be a cause of divorce is ethnicity. In the African society, each ethnic group has its own social structure and organization. This structure and organization of ethnic groups can predict the potential of divorcing and rates of divorce in the society. Using the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2014), a sample of 6049 women and 2494 men are analyzed to determine whether there is a significant relationship between one’s ethnic group and their divorce status. Again, factors accounting for divorce amongst men determined in this study. From the binary logistic analysis, it was noticed that for both respondents, Ga-Dangbes, a patrilineal ethnic group in Ghana, are more likely to divorce than Akans, a matrilineal ethnic group, although literature suggest otherwise. Again, factors like place of residence and ex/current husband’s educational level significantly predicted divorce for women only and number of marriage significantly predicted divorce for men only. Thus, factors that determine divorce differ for both men and women. From the results of this work, it is recommended that gender-specific research on ethnicity and divorce should be conducted to further bring out the differences gender has on divorce.