Marriage rarely breaks because love disappears. More often, it weakens because couples get busy, distracted, tired, or emotionally distant. That truth sat quietly beneath the laughter, games, and conversations at Love By Design 2025, organised by the Acts of Grace Foundation (AoGF) and held on Sunday, 28th December 2025, at the Obuasi Sports Club (OSC).
There were games, comedy, dinner, and light moments, but the heart of the evening was deeper: helping couples reconnect intentionally.
“Marriage Still Matters”
In her welcome address, Belinda Amponsah Boadu, the Lead of the Acts of Grace Foundation, made it clear that the night was not just about good food or entertainment.
“Tonight is more than a dinner,” she said. “It is a declaration that marriage still matters, family still matters, and love—when built on God’s design—can truly last forever.”
Quoting Matthew 19:6, she reminded couples that marriage is not just a social agreement but a spiritual union. Her words resonated strongly in a time when relationships feel fragile and commitment is often treated as optional.
She spoke passionately about the work of AoGF—supporting maternal care, education for brilliant but needy students, entrepreneurial empowerment, and counselling services with a strong focus on mental health and family restoration. Love By Design, she explained, was born from the belief that strong societies are built on strong families, and strong families are built on healthy marriages.
Since its unveiling in December 2024, Love By Design has grown into a counselling and restoration platform, reaching homes through conversations on forgiveness, trust, emotional healing, and restoring the family altar. The 2025 edition marked the second major milestone in that journey.
Creating Space for Connection
The theme for the evening, “Together Forever – Celebrating Enduring Love,” reflected the reality many couples face today. Marriages are under pressure. Communication is strained. Time is limited. Yet, Love By Design created space for couples to pause—to step away from life’s demands, laugh freely, reconnect emotionally, and receive sound, Bible-based counsel.
It didn’t matter whether couples were newly married, long married, engaged, or believing God for marriage. The message was simple: this space is for you.
Bishop Elvis Kessey: Presence, Honesty, and Respect
One of the most practical sessions of the night came from Bishop Elvis Kessey, Provincial Bishop of Victory Bible Church in the Ashanti Region. He spoke calmly but firmly about habits that slowly damage marriages if left unchecked.
First, he warned against constant distractions instead of presence. Phones, children, and daily pressures can quietly replace emotional connection. Couples were reminded not to let children take the place of their spouse and not to replace conversation with screens.
Secondly, he addressed suppressing feelings to avoid conflict. Avoiding difficult conversations, he said, doesn’t protect love—it weakens it. “It is not about who wins the argument,” he noted, “it’s about who wins the love.”
Finally, he spoke about taking each other for granted, stressing the importance of visible respect. Couples were encouraged to defend each other, not allow extended family to disrespect their partner, and always stand by one another.
His message was simple but sobering: love thrives where presence, honesty, and respect are intentional.
Prophet David Kankam Bediator: Understanding Each Other Better
Prophet David Kankam Bediator, Area Head of the Church of Pentecost in Obuasi, brought a very relatable and practical perspective to the conversation.
“Marriage is sweet,” he said, “but it has its disagreements.”
He spoke openly about what women often desire from men—appreciation, gifts, listening ears, public affirmation, meaningful conversations, simple words like thank you and I’m sorry, quality time, and emotional attention that isn’t shared more with outsiders than with their spouse.
He also addressed what men commonly desire from women—respect, peace at home, appreciation for effort, a God-fearing partner, punctuality, care in managing the home, sexual fulfillment, and being treated with honour.
His message was not about superiority or control. It was about understanding. When couples understand what matters to each other, many conflicts lose their power.
More Than an Event
Between the teachings were moments of joy—games that sparked laughter, comedy that eased tension, and shared meals that reminded couples of simpler times. These moments mattered just as much as the messages. They reminded everyone that joy is part of intimacy.
A Quiet Takeaway
As the evening came to a close, couples left not with pressure, but with reflection. Love By Design 2025 didn’t promise perfect marriages. It offered something more realistic—renewed intention.
Because love that lasts is not accidental.
It is nurtured.
It is protected.
And most importantly, it is by design.