By William Emily l Date: May 7, 2026
A Ghanaian legal expert has clarified that individuals commonly referred to as “side chicks” or “side guys” are not automatically entitled to inherit the property of a deceased partner unless they are legally recognized under Ghana’s inheritance and family laws. The clarification comes amid growing public discussions in Ghana surrounding inheritance rights, informal relationships, and property succession.
According to legal interpretations discussed in recent analyses of Ghana’s matrimonial and inheritance laws, inheritance rights are generally reserved for legally recognized spouses, children, and dependants. Persons involved in unofficial romantic relationships outside marriage may face significant legal barriers when attempting to claim property after the death of a partner.
Legal practitioners explained that Ghana’s Intestate Succession framework primarily protects spouses and biological children, whether born within or outside marriage. However, girlfriends, boyfriends, mistresses, or other unofficial partners are usually excluded unless they can legally establish dependency or another recognized legal status.
The issue has become increasingly debated in Ghanaian society as conversations around cohabitation, modern relationships, and financial dependency continue to evolve. Some legal experts argue that the law has not fully adapted to changing social realities where many couples live together for years without formal marriage.
In one widely discussed legal commentary, analysts cited the Ghanaian Supreme Court case involving Marian Obeng Mintah and Francis Ampenyin, where the court emphasized the importance of determining a person’s legal status before granting marital or inheritance rights. The court reportedly described the parties as having lived in “concubinage” because no valid marriage had occurred.
Chairperson of the Executive Council of LAWA Ghana, Sheila Minkah-Premo, also previously stated that current inheritance laws do not recognize “baby mamas” or “side chicks” as lawful spouses entitled to inherit property when a partner dies intestate. However, she clarified that children born from such relationships remain legally entitled to inheritance rights.
Social commentators say the growing debate reflects broader concerns about the legal protection of partners in long-term but unofficial relationships. Some advocacy groups have called for reforms that would provide limited protections for cohabiting partners who may have contributed financially or emotionally to shared property and family life.
Others, however, argue that expanding inheritance rights to unofficial partners could create legal confusion and increase disputes over estates, particularly in situations involving multiple partners or unresolved family conflicts. Traditional and religious groups in Ghana have also largely supported maintaining inheritance protections strictly for legally recognized spouses and dependants.
The controversy has also fueled broader public discussions on social media and entertainment platforms, where debates around relationships, fidelity, and “side chick culture” remain highly popular topics in Ghana and across Africa.
Legal experts continue to encourage individuals to properly document marriages, prepare wills, and clearly identify beneficiaries to avoid inheritance disputes after death. Analysts say many of the controversies surrounding inheritance rights could be reduced through better public awareness of family and succession laws.