For many, marriage is seen as a milestone. For gospel musician Esther Smith, it became a turning point, one she now looks back on with caution.

Her marriage to Rev. Ahinkan Bonsu in the mid-2000s ultimately ended after about four years, with the divorce becoming public around 2009–2010 amid a wave of controversy.

In an interview on The Delay Show, Esther Smith offered heartfelt advice to host Deloris Frimpong Manso, urging her not to give in to societal pressure to marry.

“Don’t let anybody put pressure on you to marry,” she said firmly. “As a senior sister, that’s my advice to you.”

The gospel singer’s caution is rooted in personal experience. At the height of her music career—following the success of songs like “Ma Won Nsan” she said marriage entered the picture, and things began to change.

“After ‘Ma Won Nsan’, marriage came into the picture. ‘Yesu Wo M’afa’ followed and I began to sink. It was a very hard time,” she revealed.

Her reflection echoes a concern often raised in Ghana’s public space—whether marriage disproportionately affects the trajectory of successful women. Delay put it bluntly during the interview:

“It looks like there is something that fights prominent women—and it’s mostly through marriage.”

While Esther Smith did not frame it as a universal rule, she acknowledged the weight of expectation and how it can influence life-altering decisions.

“When I gained prominence, my father spoke to me about marriage—that I’m the only daughter, I’m growing, age is catching up,” she recounted. “I was about 26. If he hadn’t mentioned it, my mind wouldn’t have been there.”

Beyond family pressure, environment also played a role. She described how weddings had become a common feature in her church at the time, subtly shaping her desires.

“‘Wedding’ became a thing at House of Faith Church, so it attracted me,” she said.

Looking back, Esther Smith believes the timing of her marriage came at a cost.

“My vision was dimmed because of marriage,” she admitted.

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, she is encouraging women—especially those in the public eye—to take control of their choices and timelines.

“Even if you’re not married, you can adopt a child,” she added. “Don’t marry for someone to play with your heart.”

She also advised married women facing similar struggles to remain grounded.

“Be prayerful,” she said. “But don’t let anybody push you into marriage.”

Her remarks were not just cautionary—they were also affirming. Turning to Delay, she praised the media entrepreneur’s focus and independence, suggesting that her success story might have been different if she had rushed into marriage.

“Maybe if you had hurriedly married, we wouldn’t have had Delay Foods,” she noted.