Marriage counsellor and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioner, Frank Edem Adofoli, has criticised Ghanaian YouTuber, Wode Maya over comments discouraging young couples from seeking marriage counselling.
Taking to his social media pages to respond to Wode Maya’s remarks, Mr Adofoli said the comments showed a lack of appreciation for what counselling, particularly marriage counselling, truly entails.
He stated,
I understand that you may not fully appreciate what counselling is, especially marriage counselling. However, suggesting that couples should simply spend time together, make mistakes, and discover what works best without guidance sounds like dismissing the value of professional support.
Mr Adofoli likened such advice to encouraging untrained individuals to drive without learning the basics.
It is like asking someone to start a car and drive without proper training or knowledge. When they crash, they must live with the damage without seeking help
According to him, urging couples to enter marriage without the right knowledge and tools places them at risk when challenges arise.
“Encouraging people to go into marriage without understanding leaves them struggling alone when difficulties surface,” he added.
The counsellor explained that marriage counselling equips couples with practical skills to build strong foundations. He noted that,
Research shows that couples who go through well-structured pre-marital counselling are less likely to divorce and more likely to enjoy fulfilling marital lives
He added that post-marital counselling also provides ongoing support to help couples restore happiness when problems occur.
Mr Adofoli further warned that advice undermining counselling has contributed to widespread marital struggles.
Referring to the COVID-19 lockdown period, he said, “During COVID-19, restrictions forced couples to spend more time together.
Many young couples lacked the knowledge to manage conflict, leading to increased domestic violence and relationship breakdowns worldwide.”
He stressed that many marriages failed not because love was absent, but because couples lacked the right tools and refused to seek professional help.
While acknowledging that individuals can share personal marriage experiences, Mr Adofoli emphasised the importance of trained professionals.
Just as people trust doctors and teachers, couples who seek counselling benefit from expert guidance and care.
He concluded by describing marriage as a lifelong covenant that requires wisdom and guidance, quoting Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.”
