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Why do you want to get married? – Final part
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Couples in love cannot forget about each other
IN this final part of the series, let us look at two other reasons some people get married. These include (stated in their own words):
11. I have to marry for financial and economic reasons
There is no denying the fact that marriage has a lot of financial and economic benefits and implications.
I am aware that many people’s decision to get married to a particular person is tied to the financial and economic stability they stand to enjoy. Indeed, through marriage, couples are able to merge their resources such as income earnings, tax filing, assets (including lands, houses, and cars) and in some cases their businesses.
However, the growing number of singles and soon-to-be couples, who are casually getting married to partners they barely know, only on the basis of financial and economic reasons, is becoming alarming.
There are some people whose desire is to only marry a rich and wealthy person just for them to attain a certain social and economic status.
Also, there are singles who do not want to work to earn a living; therefore, they are looking for a rich partner who will cater for them as housewives or stay-home-husbands.
Depending on which country you live in, a legal marriage can come with many practical benefits. You may be tempted to marry to get a spouse visa, qualify for tax breaks, receive your spouse’s social security benefits, be able to adopt, etc. More people are marrying to get a citizenship green card or properties.
Unfortunately, many of these people see such a marriage as more of an arrangement than marriage.
Meanwhile, this kind of marriage is a legally binding contract that mostly ends up being a legal nightmare for many people. These practices are undermining the sacredness of the marriage institution itself as established by God.
Marrying someone for financial and economic reasons, without any consideration for other important reasons is not the way you should go.
When it comes to the qualities you should look for in a marriage partner, wealth alone should be far from being the deciding factor. Instead, look out for healthy money-related traits in your partner.
These are the traits that pertain to prudent and conscientious financial habits – having savings and investment goals, following a budget, hardworking and maintaining full-time employment.
12. I just love him (or her)
Yes, it is good to marry someone you love. After all, marriage is a love relationship intended to last for the rest of your lives. However, if all that is pushing you into getting married to your partner is:
“I just love him (or her)”, then that can be problematic.
“Falling in love‟ phenomenon usually manifests itself in several ways. They include:
a. You cannot stop thinking about your lover.
b. You are physically, emotionally and sexually obsessed with him (or her).
c. You long to talk to him (or her) all the time, and cannot stay for perhaps six to nine hours without talking to them.
d. You daydream
e. You forget your other priorities.
f. You think your partner is so amazing that he (or she) does not have any weaknesses.
I have seen so many couples who because of ‘falling in love’ could not be separated from each other (for any reason) prior to their marriage; and yet, after getting married they have become worst enemies.
It is not enough to say you are in love; because BLIND LOVE has landed many individuals and couples into a state of severe regrets, pains and even mental illnesses.
No wonder, (on a lighter note) some have said that, falling in love ‟ is a state of temporary psychosis; it is the ‘delusion of fusion.” What do you think?
Source: Excerpts from ‘Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage’ Book by REV. COUNSELOR PRINCE OFFEI (Psychotherapist and Marriage Therapist). Author, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Marriage Therapist & Reverend Minister Counselor Prince& Associates Consult (CPAC)
On Sunday, August 13, 2026, the Church of Pentecost (COP) International, Finland, held an impressive church service in Helsinki in honour of and to welcome Prophet Benjamin Arthur as the new National Head.
The well-attended service formally ushered in Prophet Arthur who takes over from Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, who has been the National Head since November 2020 and whose tenure as the National Head ended last month.
Prophet Arthur arrived in Finland from the UK where he has held many positions in the church to replace Apostle Owusu Kwaah who moves back to the UK.
A touching welcome and powerful ministration
The church service was officiated by Apostle Seth Samuel Asante, the National Head of the Church of Pentecost, USA.
It was a touching welcome church service and ministration at a well-attended event. In attendance were many religious leaders from other churches or missions, as well as dignitaries.
Apostle Asante had the honour to introduce Prophet Arthur to the whole congregation as the new National Head in Finland. He was joined by other church leaders and officers from UK, USA, and Finland to pray for Prophet Arthur and handed him over to COP Finland as their new National Head to a huge applause.
Earlier, Apostle Asante delivered a powerful and touching sermon that highlighted a message of salvation and the importance of knowing, loving and serving God with one’s whole heart. He entreated the audience to love God and do His work to glorify his name.
Stirring up understandings from the hymns: “My faith has found a resting place…” and “Guide me O Thou great Jehovah…,” as well as a number of quotations from the Bible, the Apostle gave a powerful preaching on the need to build one’s faith in God.
Response from the new National Head
In response, Prophet Benjamin Arthur preached the power of prophecies and God’s plan for redemption. He entreated all to believe in God’s power especially through prophecies to save mankind. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, he noted and add: “The blood of Jesus is not shed in vain”.
Surrounded by his beloved wife, Mrs Eugenia Arthur, and their three children, Prophet Arthur expressed gratitude to the members of the church for the resounding welcome they have accorded him as he starts to embark on his role and duty as the National Head.
He recognised the exploits and excellent leadership roles of his predecessors, Apostle Edmund Appiah (who was the first National Head) and Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah.
COP’s future and growth in Finland
The Church of Pentecost in Finland was established over 25 years ago. It started in September 2000 as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfinland.fi).
The group grew fast and there was the need to secure a new place of worship in the Helsinki area. The Church has grown and spread to other towns and cities in Finland.
Today, in Helsinki alone there are two branches of the Church. There is the Akan Assembly where worship is done mostly in the Twi language. The other branch is the English Assembly (or the PIWC) which is attended by other nationalities and African immigrants aside Ghanaian immigrants.
The COP Finland has become very formidable in the religious space in the Ghanaian community in Finland.
It has thus played a prominent role in the religious or spiritual existence of its members, as well as in people’s social lives as a key aspect of integration into the Finnish society.
The church continues to grow and, for example, it has been one of the major channels through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for Ghanaian immigrants in Finland, has made more contacts with members of the Ghanaian immigrant community.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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Features
Responding to religious insults with faith, wisdom and restraint …The Prophetic Model for Muslim–Christian Peace and Coexistence(Part 1)
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds.
May His Peace and Blessings be Upon the Noble Prophet Mohammed, his household, companions and all righteous people till the Last Day. Ameen
GHANA, WE MUST NOT ALLOW A MOMENT OF ANGER TO DESTROY DECADES OF PEACE
My dear brothers and sisters in Ghana.
Today I speak about something that should concern every Muslim, every Christian and every responsible Ghanaian.
Recent events involving controversial statements about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the arrest of an Islamic cleric accused of making statements advocating violence, and the arrest of a Christian preacher over alleged derogatory comments concerning the Prophet (pbuh) have generated considerable national concern. The Ghana Police Service has said the matters are under investigation and that due process will apply.
And now, reports of an alleged assault on a detained pastor have added another troubling dimension to the matter.
Let us be very clear:
Ghana is not at war.
Muslims are not at war with Christians.
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Christians are not at war with Muslims.
For generations, we have lived together, traded together, worked together, attended the same schools, built communities together and, in many Ghanaian families, even married across religious lines.
Therefore, we must not allow the reckless words or actions of a few individuals to destroy the peace built by generations.
WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET (PBUH), WHAT DOES ISLAM EXPECT
FROM ME?
This is the question we must answer.
Not: “How angry am I?”
But: “What does Allah require from me?”
Not: “What can I do to my enemy?”
But: “What did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) do when his enemies hurt him?”
This distinction is crucial.
Islam does not teach us to abandon our faith when we are provoked.
Islam teaches us how to behave because we have faith.
Allah says:
“Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8).
Notice the greatness of Islam.
Allah does not say, “Be just when people respect you.”
He says, be just even when you hate what they have done.
Therefore: An insult does not give me permission to become unjust.
The author is the Chief Imam of Katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
