(a)

Challenges in marriage

1. Barrenness
2. Childlessness
3. Impotence
4. Interferences from the extended families or friends
5. Dishonesty/Insincerity
6. Abuse/Violence
7. Verbal abuse
8. Unfaithfulness
9. Poor counselling services
10. Disrespectfulness
11. Poor sexual satisfaction
12. Addiction to social media
13. Drug addiction
14. Jealousy
15. Boredom
16. Communication gap
17. Financial problems
18. Masturbation
19. Prolonged illness
20. Children issues
21. Religious issues

(b)

Ways of sustaining marriages in society

1. Effective communication
2. Faithfulness
3. Understanding/Respect
4. Proper guidance and counselling services
5. Financial Support
6. Sexual satisfaction
7. Settlement of marital disputes
8. Tolerance
9. Patience
10. Mutual responsible/Mutual responsibility
11. Non-interference by in-laws or friends
12. Abstinence from substance abuse
13. Adoption of children
14. Sincerity/Love and affection
15. Avoidance of abusive language/verbal abuse
16. Avoidance of physical violence
17. Controlling of jealousy
18. Child bearing

(a)

Types of marriage practiced in Ghana

1. Customary Marriage

i. This is also known as traditional marriage
ii. It is a type of marriage contracted under the customers, traditions and practices that are recognized and accepted by the ethnic group or society of the woman to be married
iii. It is the commonest of all marriage types in Ghana and precedes any type of marriage
iv. It involves the consent and approval of both parents and families.
v. It permits polygyny

2. Marriage under The Ordinance

i. Is the type of marriage that is contracted in accordance with the laws of the state (Ghana) which is registered at the Registrar General's Department or court of law
ii. It is preceded by customary marriage
iii. It permits only monogany

(b)

Consequences of broken marriage on parents

1. It creates single parenting either the mother or father is left behind to perform major responsibilities of the children
2. It creates hatred between the divorced couples and their family members
3. Both or any of the divorced couple can suffer mental and emotional distress
4. Financial stress on the one left behind to perform major responsibilities of the child

a)

Reasons for which people marry in Ghana

1. To be responsible/independent
2. Procreation/child bearing
3. To make a home and family
4. For a legitimate avenue for sexual satisfaction
5. Companionship
6. Provision of support to one another
7. Protection and security
8. Social status/respect
9. Uniting families and ethnic groups

b)

Measures that can be taken by couples to resolve challenges in their marriage

1. Accessing counselling services
2. Effective communication approach must be adopted
3. Adjusting to each other's sexual demands
4. Commitment to each other
5. Control and minimize possible interferences
6. Develop patience, tolerance and understanding of each other
7. Mutual assistance
8. Display of good conduct
9. Develop tactful means to promote good relationship with in-laws
10. Showing love and affection to each other
11. Adequate preparation before marriage
12. Prompt and peaceful resolution of conflicts
13. Effective discharge of domestic duties/responsibilities
14. Financial support

a)

Courtship is the period during which the would-be spouses study each other to enable them decide whether each has the acceptable qualities, behaviour, and lifestyles that will enable them to live together as husband and wife.

Marriage on the other hand, is the recognized and acceptable union of a man and a woman in which the two had undergone all the customary rites recognized by the society and are legally bound together as husband and wife.

b)

Preparation that ought to be made by an individual who is preparing to get married

1. Adult age
2. Proper mate selection and courtship
3. Background investigation
4. Accessing counselling services
5. Medical check-up
6. Acquisition of home management
7. Must be gainfully employed
8. Getting the bride's wealth ready
9. Acquisition of accommodation and basic necessities
10. Home protection
11. Acquisition of formal education

(a)

Challenges in marriage

1. Financial constraints/poverty
2. Childnessness
3. Sexual incompatibility
4. Interference from in-laws, friends, etc.
5. Cruelty and violence
6. Sex preference for children
7. Mismanagement of resources
8. Ineffective communication
9. Preference for family size
10. Adultery/unfaithfulness/infidelity/lack of trust
11. Diminishing love
12. Inadequate preparation before marriage
13. Religious differences/Political differences
14. Laziness
15. Stakes in property sharing and acquisition
16. Prolonged ailment/sickness
17. Drunkenness/drug abuse
18. Presence of step-children/child

(b)

Ways of ensuring a stable marriage in the Ghanaian society

1. The individual must attain adult age
2. Courtship and proper mate selection
3. Background investigation
4. Accessing counselling services
5. Acquisition of home management skills
6. One must be gainfully employed
7. Acquisition of accommodation and basic necessities
8. Acquisition of skills for home protection
9. Getting the bride wealth ready
10. Acquisition of formal education

(a)

Benefits of marriage

1. Provision of companionship
2. Provision of grounds for procreation
3. Provision of mutual assistance
4. Legitimate avenue for sexual satisfaction
5. Promoting social cohesion/unity among families
6. Raising social status for couple
7. Provision of avenues for socializing the child
8. Provision of security and protection for the family
9. Checking irresponsible behaviour of the couple

(b)

Preparations that ought to be made by an individual who is planning to get married

1. The individual must attain adult age
2. Courtship and proper mate selection
3. Background investigation
4. Accessing counselling services
5. Acquisition of home management skills
6. One must be gainfully employed
7. Acquisition of accommodation and basic necessities
8. Acquisition of skills for home protection
9. Getting the bride wealth ready
10. Acquisition of formal education

(a)

Marriage is the union between a man and a woman who have agreed and accepted to live together as husband and wife after they have gone through a process and performed all the customary rites recognized in the society as married people.

(b)

Challenges that confront a married couple in the Ghanaian society

1. Financial problems/difficulties
2. Infertility/Childlessness
3. Ineffective communication system
4. Persistent and unnecessary interference by in-laws
5. Lack of sexual satisfaction
6. Unfaithfulness/Infidelity
7. Prolonged sickness/disease
8. Excessive use of alcohol and drugs
9. Verbal or physical abuse
10. Over reaction and disagreement on marital issues