Accra, Feb. 15, GNA - The Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Asylum Down Presbyterian Church on Saturday, evening organized a programme dubbed: "Atmosphere of Love 2009" aimed at strengthening marriages in the church while encouraging singles to desire getting married.

The programme, which is meant to be an alternative for the youth in the church and prevent them from indulging in immoral affairs on St. Valentine's Day was also used as platform for married couples in the church to re-affirm their marriage vows. Married couples who attended the programme had the opportunity to renew their wedding vows in front of the congregation while presenting bars of chocolate to their spouses. Mr and Mrs Yeboah Mintah, Presbyters and Marriage counsellors, pointed out that communication in any relationship, especially marriage was key to success and urged marriage couples to improve their communication in order to achieve a successful marriage. The couple, who have been married for 20 years shared some of their experiences in marriage life and how they have been able to keep their marriage going.

"Communication in marriage leads to understanding which also results in trust and togetherness," Mr. Yeboah Mintah said. He said the tone of voice, facial expressions and the need for feedback in communication all helped towards the achievement of a happy relationship in marriage. Unresolved conflicts, suspicion and mistrust, bad temper, fear and choice of words, were things that hindered smooth communication in marriage, Mr Yeboah Mintah said. Reverend Patrick Kofi Ntim Manteaw, Pastor in-charge of the Asylum Down Presbyterian Church, said the church wants to help minimize immorality rate on Valentine's Day, hence such a programme to help draw attention of the youth, especially the unmarried to healthy relationships.

He said it is the responsibility of the church to provide alternative programmes for the youth on Valentine's Day to enable them to engage in healthy and morally accepted behaviour instead of allowing them to use the day for promiscuity. Rev. Manteaw commended the government for introducing the National Chocolate Day on 14th February and said that event have helped shaped the way Ghanaians celebrate Valentine's Day. He expressed the hope that the programme would help marriage couples sharpen their lifestyles in marriage while singles would have a stronger desire to get married.

Activities were organized for the married couples to test their knowledge of their spouses, asking them questions about their partner's favourite colour, their shoe sizes, and the food they liked best, among other things. The couples also popped Champaign to celebrate their love while prayers were said for all couples as well as the unmarried. 15 Feb. 09