Adam's words at the "First Trial" after The Fall in the Garden of Eden - "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree,..." - sought to shift blame onto God, through Eve, for their sin of disobedience, having fallen to the wiles of Satan. 

God must have been rather hurt. But, through a well-known idiom: "Marriages are made in Heaven and consummated on earth" (quoted in John Lyly's 1580 book, "Euphues and His England") - the Almighty still plays a significant role in how couples come together. 

His word in Genesis 2:18 reflects God's concern and interest in providing the right partnership in a marriage: "And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

The "helper suitable to [the man]" is God's plan for the marriage to last, bear much fruit and celebrate many anniversaries.

But there are anniversaries that simply mark the passage of time, and there are anniversaries that celebrate a legacy. The 40th wedding anniversary of Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah and her beloved husband, however, belongs to the latter. It is not merely a celebration of four decades of marriage; it is a celebration of faith, resilience, sacrifice, unwavering commitment and the enduring power of love rooted in God.

In an age where marriages are increasingly tested by the pressures of modern society, the Korankye Ankrahs' union stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that successful marriages are not built on convenience but on covenant; not on perfection but on perseverance.

Every lasting marriage tells a story. Some begin in abundance, while others begin with little more than hope, faith and determination. What distinguishes a great marriage is not how comfortably it begins, but how faithfully two people build their lives together. The story of Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah is one of those extraordinary journeys.

The book of Genesis reveals a profound truth about womanhood. After creating the heavens and the earth, the seas, the animals and finally man, God made his famous declaration about relationship: “It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18).

Woman was the culmination of God's creation: She was not an afterthought; rather, she was His crowning masterpiece. She was created to complement, strengthen and help fulfil His divine purpose for humanity. Her creation brought God's design for humanity to its beautiful completion, demonstrating that man and woman were created to flourish together in partnership Apostle

Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah beautifully reflects another remarkable dimension of this divine truth.

While Eve entered a garden already prepared by God, Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah entered her husband's life when much of the journey still lay ahead. She did not come to enjoy a finished empire; she came to help build one, like the Proverbs 31 woman. She embraced the vision before it became visible. She stood beside her husband when dreams demanded sacrifice, when resources were limited, and when success existed only as faith in the heart.

She was not simply present during the building process—she became part of the foundation.

She shared the burdens before sharing the victories. She invested in the future long before others could see its promise.

That is the mark of an exceptional wife.

The Bible declares:

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)

This verse is often quoted during wedding ceremonies, but its deepest meaning is revealed over a lifetime. A good wife is not merely someone a man marries. She is God's favour expressed in human form—a companion who strengthens weakness, encourages perseverance, shares burdens and transforms dreams into reality.

Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah has been that favour.

Her life, indeed, mirrors the portrait of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come... She watches over the affairs of her household... Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (Proverbs 31:25–28).

These are not merely beautiful words preserved in Scripture; they become living reality in women whose quiet sacrifices shape families, build homes and influence generations.

Marriage itself is God's institution of partnership.

Ecclesiastes reminds us: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).

Notice that Scripture speaks of labour. Every enduring marriage is built through labour—through patience, forgiveness, humility, sacrifice and unwavering commitment. The strongest marriages are those in which husband and wife become partners not only in celebration but also in struggle. Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah has exemplified that partnership for forty remarkable years.

A prominent American evangelist wisely observed: "A good marriage is the union of two good forgivers." His wife echoed the same truth: "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers." Those words capture the essence of every marriage that endures. Forty years together is not evidence of a relationship without challenges. Rather, it is evidence of two people who repeatedly chose forgiveness over bitterness, commitment over convenience and covenant over conflict.

Beyond the walls of her own home,Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah's life has become a quiet sermon. She has demonstrated that true greatness is rarely announced by loud applause. More often, it is revealed through consistent acts of love, steadfast faithfulness, wise counsel, patient endurance and selfless service.

History often celebrates successful men, but wisdom reminds us that behind many enduring legacies stands a woman who believed before others believed, encouraged before others applauded and built before others recognised the value of the vision.

Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah is one such woman.

Her story teaches young women that the greatest achievement is not merely marrying a successful man but becoming the kind of wife who helps build success from its earliest foundations. It teaches husbands to cherish the woman who stands beside them during seasons of uncertainty as faithfully as during seasons of abundance. Above all, it reminds us that God's design for marriage remains timeless.

As this distinguished couple celebrates forty wonderful years together, they leave behind more than cherished memories. They exemplify a legacy of faith, partnership, resilience and love that will inspire generations yet to come.

Today, we honour not only a faithful wife but an exceptional woman whose life continues to illuminate the beauty of God's purpose for marriage.

Congratulations,Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah, on forty years of exemplary marriage. Indeed, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord” - Proverbs 18:22.

May the God who joined your hearts continue to bless your home with good health, abundant joy, enduring peace and ever-increasing favour. Your life is living proof that a godly wife is not only a blessing to her husband but also one of God's greatest gifts to the family, the Church and society.

For, as the popular axiom says, "Behind and beside every successful man is a great woman who supports him in a divinely-ordained partnership that endures every trial and celebrates many anniversaries.

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary, Mama Rita and Uncle Sam, the Apostle-General!