MONROVIA, Liberia — A debate has emerged over the interpretation of Liberia’s Domestic Relations Law after Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie urged unemployed married men to report wives who earn an income but allegedly fail to support them and their children.
Liberian lawyer Moriah Yeakula has strongly rejected the Minister’s interpretation, arguing that Section 5.3(e) only requires a wife to support her husband when he is incapable of supporting himself and is or is likely to become a public charge.
Yeakula said unemployment alone does not amount to incapacity, arguing that the provision applies to men genuinely unable to earn a living due to circumstances such as serious physical or mental conditions.
She also cited several Supreme Court rulings, including Dean v. Dean, Vincent-Harding v. Harding, Garnett v. Garnetts, Brown v. Kollie and Kogar v. Kogar, which she said reinforce a husband’s legal responsibility to support his wife.
However, development specialist Ambulah Mamey, also known as Gbarpolu Ambulah, disagreed, defending the Minister’s position.
Mamey argued that the law does not specifically define “incapable,” saying its interpretation could therefore extend beyond physical or mental incapacity.
He urged that claims be assessed individually until the courts provide a definitive interpretation of the provision.
The disagreement has sparked wider public discussion over spousal support obligations under Liberian law.
