Make relationships work - Ebo Whyte advises couples

As part of attempts to reduce the stress and strains in relationships, couples have been advised to make a conscious effort to make their relationships work.

According to author and CEO of Roverman Productions, Mr Ebo Whyte, it was important couples carried the spark they lit during courtship into their marriages and relationships once they become couples.

He said partners have often taken each other for granted and, therefore, did little to address their concerns, leading to misunderstandings and eventual irreconcilable differences.

Speaking on the theme: “Rekindling the flame”, the renowned playwright and counsellor, popularly known as Uncle Ebo, said in a world that people went through all kinds of stress at the workplace and in business, the home and partners should provide some respite to protect the sanctity of their marriages.

Event He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) in Accra to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration.

It also formed part of activities to commemorate the centenary celebration of the church, as well as promote healthy relationship in marriages.

Participants included married couples some of who asked pertinent questions and also shared their experiences. Couples who have been married for more than 30 years were given special packages.

“The love during courtship should not end when the couple get married. It is important for couples to maintain to a large extent, the spark they lit during courtship because that is the fuel that will keep the marriage going during strains,stress and other challenges that sometimes come our way,” Uncle Ebo added.

He cited reasons why marriages and relationships fail to include taking each other for granted, criticising instead of encouraging and showing love to each other; comparing partners to others, unforgiving spirit and the lack of respect for each other.

Remedy

According to Uncle Ebo, the cardinal rule to making relationships work and last long was for couples to live by the golden rule and treat each other as each party would want to be treated.

“If you treat others the way you want to be treated, it makes you conscious of how you act and relate to the other person, especially the one you have committed to spend the rest of your life with.

“Make up your mind that loving the person you are with is a ministry and it is just like loving God. Focus on the needs of your partner, be more accommodating, learn to forgive and let go of hurts. Pick your battles wisely,” he added.

Uncle Ebo further admonished couples to “be quick to apologise even when you are not wrong. It takes nothing away from you when you say sorry.

Respect your partner in all ways, be slow to offence, do not seek to win, you are not competing with your partner, overcome your insecurities and look for the good in your partner, speak the better self of the person”. Gratitude The Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery, Rev.Dr Abraham Opare Kwakye, expressed gratitude to the playwright for making time to share his experience and knowledge with them.

He urged couples, particularly, the youth to take the advice seriously and also put some hard work in their relationships.