Wives bribe husbands with cigarettes, nuts and meals for sex

Some young women in polygamous marriages in the Northern Region of Ghana have revealed they are using cigarettes, cola nuts, or meals to lure their husbands to have sex with them, reports Ghana’s Jokpeme News.

The allure which comes with being pampered with hordes of gifts in exchange of sexually pleasing their wives has compelled many men, especially in the rural Northern Region, to marry multiple women.

Jokpeme News says the truth was revealed on Tuesday, during a workshop for management staff of organisations and business owners.

The seminar discussed challenges young women face in accessing decent work; women’s rights at the work place; law on employment, among others.

Some of the young wives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained they are not happy in their marriages because they have to pay for conjugal rights – a need which ordinarily should be fulfilled freely.

They however said they could not walk out on their union because of their children.

One affected woman told: “My husband smokes and any time I need sex then I have to provide a pack of cigarette before he will accept to sleep with me.”

“If I don’t have money to satisfy his needs it means I will be starved sexually while my rivals who provide his needs are treated better,” she added.

Ghana’s former Minister of Women and Children, Hajia Alima Mahama, who facilitated the workshop said it was sad that people were still engaging in polygamy in an era where meeting the needs of the family prove challenging.

She called on NGOs to work together towards seeking solutions to the problem.

She also advised women not to accept marriages just to become wives, when their happiness would not be guaranteed.

Action Aid Ghana is implementing a project in the semi-urban areas of Tamale and Accra called, ‘Young Urban Women: Life Choices and Livelihood’.

It is aimed at ensuring that at least 2,000 young women living in poverty would have more financial independence and control over their bodies.