Mr Charles Adjei Wilson presiding at a Magistrate Court in Sunyani on Thursday warned he would deal drastically with any man brought before him for being an irresponsible father.

He said the non-maintenance and care of children was a criminal offence under the Children's Act.

''When it comes to the maintenance of children the court will administer justice without fear or favour.

Whether the fellow is an ordinary chief or Omanhene I will deal with him,'' Mr Wilson stressed.

He gave the warning when Kwabena Korang, a farmer at Nsoatre, was brought before the court for failing to take care and maintain his three children since 1996.

The Magistrate said child neglect and non-maintenance cases were becoming too rampant in the Region, adding that some fathers had left the upkeep of their children on their wives or concubines.

Mr Wilson said for a parent, notably a father, to neglect his own child was a great disservice to children and also against natural justice and such irresponsible behaviour often spelt the doom of the affected children.

''The court is fed up with handling such cases and such irresponsible fathers will be made to face the full rigours of the law.''

Police Inspector Setina Aboagye, Prosecutor, told the court that Korang and his ex-wife, Miss Margaret Owusu, 28, complainant, lived at Nsoatre and had three children aged 13, 11 and eight.

For the past seven years Korang has refused to take care of the kids so Margaret lodged a complaint with the Police Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) in Sunyani and both of them were referred to the Department of Social Welfare.

Inspector Aboagye said in spite of agreeing in October last year to pay 120,000 cedis a month towards the upkeep of the children the accused had refused to do so and failed to respond to an invitation from WAJU in that regard.

She said the accused also treated with contempt a Police criminal summons for him to appear in court till a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

On arrest, Korang hurriedly paid 170,000 cedis to WAJU for the upkeep of the children.

The court remanded him to re-appear on March 27.