Speaking on TV3’s Afternoon Show on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Apostle Gbedemah said couples could build strong and lasting relationships through intentional communication, shared values and a clear understanding of each other’s expectations without having to live under the same roof before marriage.

“You don't have to cohabit to truly know your partner,” he said, adding that genuine intimacy and understanding could be developed through meaningful conversations and observing how a partner responds to life’s challenges.

The clergyman cautioned that living together before marriage could sometimes create a false sense of security, with couples mistaking emotional closeness or financial convenience for genuine long-term compatibility.

He explained that cohabitation might also conceal fundamental differences between partners rather than resolve them.

Instead, he encouraged couples to prioritise open discussions about their future, financial responsibilities, family expectations, personal beliefs and long-term goals during courtship.

Apostle Gbedemah further advised prospective couples to pay attention to how their partners handle stress, disappointment and conflict in their everyday lives.

He also recommended seeking guidance from trusted marriage counsellors, mentors and community leaders to gain a more objective understanding of relationship challenges.

According to him, emotional, spiritual and intellectual maturity should be developed before marriage to help couples prepare for the responsibilities of living together.

The counsellor urged young people to resist societal pressure to adopt relationship practices that may conflict with their personal and religious values.

He maintained that purposeful, transparent and intentional courtship could provide a solid foundation for a successful marriage without requiring couples to cohabit beforehand.

His comments have added to ongoing discussions about premarital relationships, compatibility and the role of shared living arrangements in preparing couples for marriage.

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