Clearly, it is not only in Ghana that certain tribes hate others so much that some families forbid their members from getting married to people from those tribes.
A Ugandan young man from a tribe called Baganda where men are said to be domineering over their women, had no option but to lie about his identity to a beautiful lady who had openly declared her detest for men from his tribe.
About four years ago, Ronald Katunda happened to be sitting with Fortunate Arinda when she said to fellow Banyankole tribe friends that she would never marry a Baganda man due to their high-handedness.
Her proclamation was disappointing to Ronald Katunda who was in the church choir at University Christian Fellowship (UCF), but when he later decided to approach Fortune, he chose to be tactful about the extent of information he revealed to her about himself.
Instead of telling her that he was from Baganda tribe, he lied that he was a Japadhola man, one of the reasons why Fortune gave him the nod.
Such a big lie would have ended the relationship for some people if the lady realised the truth later, but Fortune did not have the luxury of that choice to make when the truth came to light.
She said in an interview with Ugandan magazine, My Wedding that her stereotypical view about Muganda men almost denied her the love of her life.
“By the time he confessed he was a Muganda, I had seen a caring, God-fearing, trustworthy and hardworking man. Nothing like the stereotypes say,” Fortune admitted.
Now, they are both married happily and Ronald has proven to her that not all men of his tribe are the same.
“I wanted to study but knew I had a person with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Fortunate is a family person, she is beautiful, God-fearing and constructive,” excited Ronald is quoted as saying.
Well, lying is not justifiable, but it seems if the excessive tribalism and stereotyping continues, young people will resort to dishonesty to get life partners.