Relationship
Simple gestures for saying ‘I Love You’ without uttering a word (final part)
If you are in a new relationship, excitedly planning on tying the knot, or have been married for over a decade or so, keeping the flame of love at its right place is very much important to keep the intimacy for a lifetime.
But as time passes by, either party surely feels like all their surprise gestures to say I love you, are no longer working or their minds tend to scream for some help from the love and relationship experts.
Here are some tips to resurrect a dying relationship.
6. Take her on an unexpected dinner date
Organise a surprise special date for your lovely partner. You can choose the most sentimental restaurant for both of you and rent the whole place to hype up the moment. Do it on a normal day and you will witness how priceless it is to see her most contagious smile. Remember that the quality of time you spend with her is much more important than the quantity.
7. Send your partner a hand-written love letter or a poem
Bringing back the traditional could be the most romantic thing you could do for love. And that includes writing a hand-written love letter or a poem for your awesome lady. Some partners can make simple writing into a whole book made with love. Having your partner’s love letters or notes with you could bring out the joy in their hearts.
8. Compliment your partner on random moments
You will not know the prize of complimenting your partner unless you do it on random moments. Therefore, cultivate the habit of telling how lovely he or she is even in between your deep conversation, in the middle of your dinner date or while walking down the streets together.
And once you consider doing this simple yet sweet gesture, expect to see the sweetest smiles on your partner’s face on those random moments!
9. Always remember the little details told you
Girls definitely talk a lot about everything under the sun, while boys get easily irritated with this behavior, men consider it as the most romantic storytelling event on their lives.
And if you are really head over heels to your lady, always listen to whatever she is saying no matter what.
Not just that, always keep in mind even the little details she keeps on talking about like her favorite nail polish color, what irritates her the most, her favourite month or season, her favorite haircut, and so on and so forth.
10. Send your partner gifts
Sending over some gifts is one of the gestures of love. Surprise your partner by sending over some token of gifts to him or her at work, class or even on a random day. In that way, you are also sending her a message about your endless love and unparalleled affection to her.
Source Marriage.com
Building and maintaining healthy relationships is an important part of looking after our mental health. Here are six top tips to support you:
1. Get to know yourself
Take time to appreciate yourself and connect with your emotions. Being aware of your feelings allows you to express yourself clearly and effectively. Poor emotional regulation can negatively affect your mental wellbeing.
2. Put in the work
Healthy relationships are built, not found. They require commitment and a willingness to accommodate each other’s needs.
3. Set and respect boundaries
Boundaries communicate what you appreciate and what you don’t like in a relationship. For example, respecting your need for alone time helps prevent unrealistic expectations and reduces pressure on the relationship.
4. Talk and listen
Disagreements are normal. Focus on listening to understand, not just to respond. Be open about your emotions and vulnerabilities with people you trust.
5. Let go of control
You can only control your actions, not those of others. Accepting this reduces stress and saves time while fostering healthier interactions.
6. Reflect and learn
Healthy expression of feelings helps you respond appropriately to others. Often, anger stems from hurt; recognizing this allows for better communication and relationship building. Reflect on the relationships that work well in your life, identify their positive qualities, and apply these lessons elsewhere.
As parents on a mission, raise children who are not just successful, but cultured, morally upright, and ready to lead. The secret? Blend biblical principles and traditional values with practical parenting strategies that work in today’s world.
Ghana’s culture is built on respect, community, and integrity, and when combined with Christian values like love and forgiveness, it is a powerful combo for parenting. Teaching children about traditions, biblical truths, or the importance of greeting elders is not just about preserving culture—it is about building character.
5 Practical steps to raise disciplined, cultured kids
1. Set clear expectations
Explain rules and values clearly. For example, “We respect elders because God says ‘Honour your father and mother’” (Ephesians 6:2). Also, “We respect elders because they have lived longer and know more.” Align household rules with cultural values like obedience and responsibility.
2. Lead by example
Children mimic what they see. Show respect to elders, speak kindly, and demonstrate honesty in daily life. Proverb: “If you show a child how to behave, they’ll behave.” Moreover, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go …” You can also introduce them to traditional games like “Oware” or “Ampe,” which teach strategic thinking.
3. Teach emotional intelligence
Help children label emotions (“You’re feeling angry”). Encourage resolving conflicts peacefully—like using “sorry” to mend relationships. Ghanaian proverb: “A smooth sea doesn’t make a skilled sailor.”
4. Assign responsibilities
Give age-appropriate chores (e.g., fetching water, helping with cooking). It builds accountability and pride in contributing. Link chores to cultural values like communal living (“We all help in the community”) and biblical stewardship.
5. Embed culture and faith in daily life
Cook traditional foods like Banku, Jollof rice, or Fufu, tell folktales, or celebrate local festivals with prayer and gratitude. Discuss values like ubuntu (I am because we are) to teach teamwork and empathy; alongside God’s love for unity (John 13:34-35). Make culture fun and relatable.
Some other awesome ways to make Ghanaian culture relatable for children include:
- Sharing popular Ghanaian artists like Joe Mettle, Uncle Ato, or Obaapa Christie, and teaching traditional dances like Kpanlogo or Adowa.
- Exploring Ghanaian crafts like kente weaving or bead-making through online workshops.
- Talking about festivals like Homowo (celebrated by the Ga people) or Aboakyer (a deer-hunting festival) using cool videos and pictures online.
Why this matters for Ghana’s future leaders
- Respect and integrity: Cultured children grow into leaders who respect others and uphold ethical standards.
- Community mindset: Values like cooperation and serving others (Galatians 5:13) prepare them to contribute positively to society.
- Resilience: Cultural roots give children a strong identity, helping them navigate life’s challenges.
Parenting in the digital age
- Balance screen time with cultural activities. Use Anansi stories or Bible stories on YouTube or play Oware to teach strategy and patience.
- Discuss social media etiquette through the lens of respect, responsibility, and biblical wisdom (Proverbs 15:4).
Final thought for Ghanaian parents
February 2026 is a fresh start. Blend Ghana’s timeless values with modern tools to raise leaders who are grounded, respectful, and ready to thrive.
To be continued …
Source: REV. COUNSELOR PRINCE OFFEI and Counselor Blessing Offei’s insights on relationships, marriage, and parenting in Ghana. He is an author, mental health professional, lecturer, and marriage counsellor at COUNSELOR PRINCE & ASSOCIATES CONSULT (CPAC COUNSELLOR TRAINING INSTITUTE). He is the author of several books, including “Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage” and “A Counsellor’s Guide to Using ‘Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage’ Effectively.”
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