Perceived impacts of acceptance, conversation and inheritance issues on relationships happiness among couples in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Conversation either verbal or non-verbal is an important aspect of a marital relationship that brings about marital happiness. This study sought to investigate the impacts of acceptance, lack of conversation and inheritance issues on relationship happiness among inter-and-intra ethnic relationships in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. The researchers used descriptive research survey design. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The data for the study were gathered from inter-and-intra ethnic spouses who are above 20 years of age, have been married for 2 years to 60 years and with an academic background of Junior High School (JHS) and above. Ten (10) couples were used for the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the couples from the accessible population. Interviews were used to gather the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Major findings of the study revealed that couples in inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic relationships were not happy with respect to their children inheriting their parents. It was therefore, recommended that couples in inter- and intra- ethnic relationships should be schooled to prepare a Will whiles living with the assistance of religious leaders and counsellors. Further, properties acquired during their relationship should be recorded in the names of their children to prevent uncertainty and conflicts after they are dead when the state employs the implementation of PNDC Law 111, 1985 of Ghana. It was also found out that, couples in both inter- and intra-ethnic relationships chose a common medium of expression. It is recommended that, couples from different backgrounds should use a common language for better understanding and to do away with suspicions in the relationships to bring about marital happiness.