Spousal migration can crash relationships

The chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church International, Apostle Samuel Amponsah Frimpong, says spousal migration has the tendency to strain marriages and expose partners to temptations if they fail to address its challenges.

He indicated that spousal migration will continue to be a part of human existence for a long time, as people often travel to places they perceive as offering better opportunities, leaving their spouses behind.

Apostle Frimpong Amponsah, in a review of the subject of spousal migration in the book "I am Married but I am Single: The Other Side of Spousal Migration," authored by Emmanuel Idan & Gina Idan, said that the absence of one of the partners contradicts the purpose of the marriage institution.

He also mentioned that apart from the difficulties spouses may face due to their absence and lack of support for each other, it could also have a negative impact on the lives of dependents, especially children.

He said, "Spousal migration separates marriage partners and undermines the very purpose for which the institution of marriage was ordained by God. The absence of one partner can seriously endanger relationships and expose marriage partners to temptations.”

"The absence of either the man or the woman opens doors, and Satan can easily take advantage of it to destroy the marriage. The strength of marriage lies in the ability to dwell together, which illustrates how married couples must demonstrate the strength of this kind of unity," he added.

He, therefore, appealed to married couples, especially Christians, to thoroughly discuss such an important issue before either partner migrates, leaving the other behind for various reasons.

A co-author of the book, "I am Married but I am Single: The Other Side of Spousal Migration," Emmanuel Idan, in an interview with the DAILY GUIDE, said that a major theme of the book, which is yet to be launched, is the prolonged distant relationship with limited certainty of physical reunion and its social and psychological impact on left-behind spouses and children.

He added that the book discusses some of the challenges married couples face due to spousal absence, drawn from their experience of staying apart for almost seven years, barely eight months after their marriage, where one partner had to travel abroad for economic reasons.

Other topics discussed in the book include marriage, spousal migration, and economic empowerment, diaspora life, and years of sexual deprivation.

The authors also elaborate on God's intended plan for marriage and marital relationships, at what point partners or potential partners need to consider ending relationships, and what people should know before accepting proposals from partners living abroad.

Among some of the notable people who reviewed the 132-page book is Joyce Rosalind Aryee, the executive director of Salt and Light Ministries.