A High Court Judge, Justice Alexander Osei Tutu, has advocated for reconsidering the tradition where married women adopt their husbands’ surnames, arguing that it no longer holds legal significance in today’s society.
Justice Osei Tutu highlighted that historical practices, such as women adopting their husbands’ names, originated from an English custom aimed at subordinating women, which has lost its relevance over time.
He emphasized that legal reforms have empowered women to independently own property and conduct lawful acts, rendering the tradition obsolete.
In an interview, Justice Osei Tutu questioned the continuation of this practice, stating, “As early as the 11th century, married women faced legal restrictions that necessitated adopting their husbands’ identities. However, societal and legal changes since then have removed these barriers.”
He further remarked on the misuse of religious justification, pointing out that neither biblical nor Islamic scriptures mandate women to change their names upon marriage.
Justice Osei Tutu urged for a reevaluation of societal norms surrounding marital identities, advocating for women to retain their own names as a matter of personal choice and identity.
