I know someone who has actually gone to Ghana and gotten married. He has returned to the US and is now sending lots of money to his "love" preparing to live with her for the rest of his life (allegedly). Would the scammers go this far... continue to carry it out? Is there a way to check the validity of the marriage?thanks in advance

Yeah probably.

I think you or your friend is being scammed, I have worked many cases fake married even the license is fake , and people,ask yourself one question is it to good to be true. Many million people get scammed out millions millions a dollars a month from over the world all point at ghana. It many pretty women their but most of them all ready married, normally the pimp which is the husband will always stay in the back ground he may be married to 2 or 3 women he use your money to help take care of him and the other wife. On other hand if u trust she is for real don't send over 150.00 a month more than enough for her to live out are. Good luck study the country are ghana