Forgiveness, Humility and Commitment Key to a Successful Marriage — Akosua Blankson
By Joyce Akosua Ayine
Author and counsellor, Mrs. Akosua Blankson, has urged couples to prioritise forgiveness, humility and commitment in order to build lasting and fulfilling relationships.
Speaking on Zed Wellness Link on Zed FM, Mrs. Blankson explained that a successful relationship or marriage is not defined by the absence of problems, but by the ability of partners to navigate challenges together with love and understanding.
According to her, disagreements are inevitable in every relationship, but what matters most is how couples handle them. She encouraged partners to adopt a “disagree to agree” approach, where differing opinions are respected without allowing them to destroy the bond between them.
“A healthy relationship has challenges. Couples work through their issues using the disagree-to-agree strategy. They forgive each other and continue to love, irrespective of what is happening,” she stated.
Mrs. Blankson advised individuals to let go of anger and resentment if they desire a healthy union. She noted that unresolved anger often escalates minor disagreements into major conflicts, stressing the importance of taking time to calmly address issues.
She further highlighted prayer as a key pillar in sustaining marriages, especially for couples who value faith as part of their relationship foundation.
Touching on conflict resolution, Mrs. Blankson emphasised the role of humility. She explained that humility allows partners to separate the person from the problem, making it easier to find solutions without attacking each other personally.
“Being humble means you separate the person from the challenge or issue at stake. When you see things that way, it becomes easier to resolve matters quickly and mindfully,” she added.
She also pointed out that challenges in marriages often revolve around money, sex and communication. These issues, she said, differ depending on individuals’ upbringing, background and life experiences.
On finances, she observed that as individuals grow, their financial priorities and spending habits also change, noting that different seasons of life influence how money is managed. To promote financial stability and reduce tension, she advised couples to maintain individual savings accounts alongside a joint account, to avoid feelings of restriction or financial pressure.
Mrs. Blankson concluded by encouraging couples to remain intentional about building functional relationships, stressing that love, understanding, humility and commitment are essential ingredients for a successful and enduring marriage.
