Relationship
Some signs he wants a future with you
I’m always here to help you understand what is actually going on. If you’ve been getting a feeling that your guy is planning to spend the rest of his life with you, you definitely need confirmation. You cannot just go up to him and ask him because if he isn’t, you’re going to scare him away and come off as a desperate little girl, which you’re not. If you’re having doubts about whether your boyfriend is serious about you or wants to share his future with you, the following are signs that he is serious and wants to spend his life with you!
He introduces you to his family
If, after a long time of you guys being in a relationship, your boyfriend insists on taking you home to introduce you to his parents, it might mean that he’s thinking about his life together with you. Keep an ear out for ‘you’re the first girl he has brought home’ or ‘he rarely introduces us to a girlfriend’ because this is a positive sign, and he is serious about you. You’d be surprised how many guys are reluctant to bring a girl home.
He stands up for you even if his family on the other side
If he’s always there to defend your honour, that means he is head over heels for you. But does this mean he has a future planned out with you? Boyfriends usually do protect their girls, so no. It might mean that he wants to marry you when it comes to family. If, for some reason, his family is against you, and even then, he doesn’t let that affect your relationship, this means he wants to be with you. Nobody risks losing their family for some girl they’re ‘just dating’.
He sub-consciously makes future plans with you
‘Let’s go on a world tour once we retire,’ ‘How many kids do you want, ‘let’s settle down in New York’ are just random comments from him. Girls might say such things without actually meaning it, but for guys, it’s different. They are cautious about sending across the message of settling down with a girl unless they have thought about it themselves. So if your guy is comfortable saying these things to you, this means he has been thinking about it.
He starts behaving shady and saving money
Girls, this one is a complicated little one because it could either mean that he’s going to propose or that he’s cheating on you – well, that escalates quickly… If your guy all of a sudden has started cutting back on expenses and is being secretive, this might mean that he’s planning a proposal and wants to spend the saved money on getting you a ring. You’ll know which case it is because coming home late and ignoring your phone calls will warn you if it’s the latter. This shady behaviour is safe, like dropping hints like I have a surprise or we’re going away for the weekend, etc.
Something fishy in your jewelry drawer or maybe just a ring is missing
This one is the cutest sign and maybe one that ensures a proposal is on the way. No matter how secretive a guy is, he needs your finger size to get a ring that fits. For this purpose, he needs to go through your jewelry. Little do guys know, but girls will always realise if somebody has touched their stuff and definitely when a piece of their jewelry is missing. If your ring is missing or your boyfriend tries to ask your ring size jokingly, then expect a proposal anytime soon.
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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