In press statement, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has congratulated all fathers, especially single-parents, and persons who have stood in for others as fathers, on the occasion of Father’s Day.

The statement signed by Mr Abraham Asare, the Communications Advisor, indicated that to curb the challenges of maintenance issues in Ghana, the ministry was planning to establish a child support unit that would ensure that parents were made to provide support for their children.

Read the full statement below:

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection extends warm felicitations to all fathers on this occasion of Fathers’ Day. We recognise the role fathers play in the family as leaders of the home. These roles are many. And they are critical for the sustenance of the home.

Fathers are far more than just ‘second adults’ in the home. Fathers influence their children through the quality of their relationship with the mother of their children.

It is believed that a father who has a good relationship with the mother of their children is more likely to be involved and to spend time with their children.

They in turn, will have children who are psychologically and emotionally healthier. Even from birth, children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings, and, as they grow older, have better social connections with peers. These children also are less likely to get in trouble at home, school, or in the neighbourhood.

Many Ghanaian fathers have played these roles and more, well. It is based on these that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection congratulates all Ghanaian fathers for the good work they are doing for their families.

Apart from paying school fees and other bills to keep the family going, the Ministry would like to encourage Fathers to work on creating a good environment in the home for their children. This will help keep the family together to raise confident children.

Society recognizes the leadership role of the father. That is why the UN Day for the Family, celebrated on the 15th of May this year, had the theme: Men in Charge? Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families. In spite of this recognition given men, some fathers have failed to live up to their responsibilities.

Statistics from the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), now Department of Social Development (DSD) under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection show that some fathers have shirked their responsibilities.

In 2014, as many as 7,259 maintenance cases were reported to the Department. The men are the guiltiest. But as we mark Fathers’ Day, we implore fathers, to take up their responsibilities for the sake of posterity.

To curb the challenges of maintenance issues in Ghana, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is planning to establish a child support unit that will ensure that parents are made to provide support for their children.

We congratulate all fathers, especially single parent fathers and persons who have stood in for others as fathers.

Congratulations to all fathers!