What if the ratio of women to men is indeed 7 to 1?

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams in a sermon delivered on Sunday, October 26, 2014 cautioned single ladies and married women to see marriage as a privilege and treat their spouse’s right. As usual his message has caused a lot of controversy on social media platforms with for and against arguments taking hold.

Well, Mr. Williams talked about so many issues, but what I am most interested in is his message drawn from Isaiah 4:1 "In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, we will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!"

The Papa stressed “according to scripture in the time we live in,seven (7) women will plead one (1) man just to carry his name to take away the shame and reproach”

Some opinion leaders such as Mr. Awuku Bekoe, a clinical psychologist descended so hard on the Archbishop and described as erroneous the impression being created that real happiness for women lies in marriage, for marriage is not the gate way to eternal salvation or heaven.

Well I am also a young single lady and do not agree with him on certain words he used, and so decided to delve deeper into what the “Papa” as he is fondly called said in his sermon.

So I asked myself, What if the ratio of women is actually 7: 1 in this 21stcentury? I guess, truly most single ladies will remain rotten, as Adomonline.com quoted the Archbishop “until a man proposes to you, you are going to stay beautiful, pretty, intelligent, nice and whatever yet rotten”.

Yes, the institution of marriage as created by God still remains beautiful and fulfilling whenever there is union between two spouses. However, I will not applaud the Archbishop for his advice to only the “married sisters” to see marriage as a privilege and treat their spouse’s right. This I reckon is because; whoever (man or woman) who finds a good partner should feel privileged.

So to my other single ladies who would want to marry, start putting in more effort inorder to win the 7: 1 ratio challenge; such as having good cooking skills, respect and intelligence for the way to a man’s heart is no longer just through the stomach but also by keeping good personal hygiene, being creative with communication and holding down a good job. However ladies should not settle for less despite the 7:1 imbalance.

But I have a little message to my other single ladies who would want to remain single for life just as Dorcas, Esther and Deborah did in biblical times but are still remembered for their great works.

Some of you who have never seen any reprove or counsel from men as worth taking into account; and some of you who are so engulfed with the idea, equality for men and women.

That your own shadows threaten your sense of feminism; anytime you see it (your shadow) following you, you think it is a man who wants to take you for granted or overtake you in life (Kwabena Darko Piesie Blantyne).

Some of you who realized it’s too late for you because perhaps you wasted your youthful age in finding a more perfect suitor defined by you, rejected all suitors that came your way, now find solace and comfort with Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7: 1 – 16 to women to be celibate if they really want to focus on the work of God.

Some of you who deep in your thoughts and hearts feel sad and hard on yourself in your lonely chambers for being single at that your old age and if left to your own wish, you could turn back the hands of time.

Why don’t (we) single ladies and married women glean the most important message I have learnt from the Archbishops message that marriage is beautiful and should be treated accordingly with respect. However, every lady has the right to either marry in fulfilling God’s promise or remain single by adhering to Paul’s advice.

Hence as such, the society should accept and respect this right of women and stop creating the impression that marriage is the only accomplished institution that makes a woman whole and determines her happiness.