You Cannot Choose A Partner Without Choosing Where They Come From–Justina Owu-Agyiri

According to a report by Citi FM on Sunday October 25, 2026, Counselling psychologist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) Hospital, Lady Justina Owu-Agyiri, has advised couples preparing for marriage to pay close attention to their partners’ family backgrounds, beliefs and expectations, stressing that understanding these factors is essential to building a healthy and lasting relationship.

According to her, marriage goes beyond the union of two individuals, as it also brings together people from different family backgrounds, traditions, values and ways of life.

She believes couples must make conscious efforts to understand these differences before committing themselves to marriage.

Lady Justina Owu-Agyiri emphasised that choosing a life partner also means acknowledging the family and environment that have shaped the person’s character, attitudes and expectations.

“You cannot choose a partner and not choose where the person is coming from,” she stated.

Her remarks highlight the importance of understanding a prospective spouse’s upbringing and family dynamics before taking the significant step of getting married.

She believes that a failure to appreciate these factors could create misunderstandings and tensions, particularly when couples begin interacting more closely with their respective in-laws.

Family relationships can become a major part of married life, with expectations from parents, siblings and other relatives sometimes influencing decisions within the home.

For this reason, couples need to have open and honest conversations about their families, cultural practices and personal values before marriage.

Lady Justina further stressed the importance of communication in helping couples navigate relationships with their in-laws.

She believes that partners who communicate effectively are better positioned to manage differences, establish mutual understanding and prevent unnecessary conflicts from affecting their marriages.

Effective communication also allows couples to discuss sensitive issues, including family involvement in marital decisions, boundaries with relatives and the expectations each partner may have regarding their extended families.

Understanding these matters beforehand can help partners develop a common approach to handling family-related challenges while maintaining respect for one another’s backgrounds.

Her advice also serves as a reminder that differences in family upbringing do not necessarily have to become obstacles to a successful marriage.

Rather, couples who are willing to listen to each other, appreciate their differences and communicate openly can work towards building stronger relationships.

As conversations about marriage and family life continue, Lady Justina Owu-Agyiri’s message underscores the need for couples to look beyond romantic attraction and consider the broader circumstances that shape their partners.

Her comments were shared in connection with discussions on FamLife, highlighting the importance of preparation, mutual understanding and effective communication in maintaining healthy marriages and peaceful relationships with in-laws.

Ultimately, her message is that a successful marriage requires more than love between two people.

It also calls for an appreciation of each partner’s family background, a willingness to manage differences and a commitment to communicating openly as couples build a life together.

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