Poor communication, major cause of marriage breakdown

Madam Lady Felicia Atiemo, a Marriage Counsellor of the International Central Gospel Church at the Living Hope Temple, Pokuase in Accra has said that most marriages fail because of poor communication.

She said communication just like any medicine has a healing effect and adding that there was the need to communicate our feelings to our spouses in a more humane way instead of harbouring ill-feelings.

Madam Atiemo was speaking at a five-day marriage seminar organized by the District Women’s Movement of the Abeka Central Apostolic Church, which was on the theme: “Building Responsible Relationships.”

The seminar focused on pre-marital, married and post-marital issues in relationships.

Madam Atiemo said spouses must learn how to respect each other and they should desist from giving more compliments to other men and women outside their marriages.

She urged married couples to always give their partners the benefit of the doubt and not to jump into conclusion upon hearsays and rumour.

“Do away with pitching comparison with other spouses on material, physical or other terms because it is a destructive force that can cause ill-feeling leading to unpalatable consequences,” the Counselor said.

She said arguments would arise, but partners should refrain from trying hard to win over the other, adding that men should learn to listen to their wives during conversation and dire situation at all times.

“Women are at peace when they know that their husbands listen to their concerns,” Mrs Atiemo said.

Pastor Felix Awuah, the District Pastor of the Church said the scriptures urged men to live with their spouses in peace and harmony and called on married couples to help and pray in whatever situation they may find themselves.

He asked women to always be guided by the life of Abigail and men on the other hand by the life of Isaac in order for peace to reign in their marriage, adding that spouses should learn to appreciate their partners.

Deaconess Zenobia O. Appenteng, the District Women’s Leader, said when love should and understanding leads there was no need for couples to share financial roles because each spouse could take up duties in the absence of the other without any prejudices.