By Stephen Adofo
Accra, June 17, GNA – Fathers have called for greater recognition of their role in family life as Ghana prepares to mark Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21.
They said their sacrifices and responsibilities were often overlooked compared to those of mothers.
In interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), they explained that changing social and economic conditions had affected the role of fathers in child upbringing, particularly their involvement in the daily lives of their children.
Mr Elvis Frempong said fatherhood was primarily about responsibility and commitment rather than public recognition.
“The celebration of Father’s Day, whether in high or low spirits, is really not an issue for me. Every father has a responsibility and as such does not need recognition or commendation to execute it,” he said.
Mr Frempong noted that the demands of modern life often kept fathers away from home for extended periods, leaving mothers to spend more time with children and receive greater appreciation.
“I have observed that men are often so busy that women take up almost all the responsibilities relating to the children. This has given more recognition to mothers because they spend more time with the children,” he said.
Mr Clement Gyekye said some fathers were not appreciated because their contributions were not always visible to their children, especially in homes where parents were separated.
“Although the father may provide without the knowledge of the child, the mother sometimes claims they are the ones providing and paints a picture of an irresponsible father in the minds of the children,” he said.
Mr Gyekye said that technological advancement had made it easier for fathers to maintain contact with their children.
“A present-day father is capable of reaching out to his children at any point in time unlike former fathers who struggled to do so,” he said.
Mr Stephen Donkor said mothers often spent more time with children, making them more approachable and appreciated.
“Mothers are mostly reluctant in discipline, which makes the children draw closer to them. Fathers are often feared because of their strictness,” he said.
Apostle Stephen Ofori also called for greater recognition of fathers, saying many men carried enormous responsibilities while enduring personal struggles in silence.
“It is unfortunate how mothers are appreciated more than fathers. I am not disputing the fact that women need to be appreciated, but the same attention and even more should be given to men.
“Fathers carry the family on their shoulders and mostly fight silent battles they barely speak about,” he noted.
Apostle Ofori said although fathers today continued to fulfil their responsibilities, discipline was stricter in earlier generations, contributing to stronger adherence to family values.
He called for greater appreciation of fathers’ contributions while encouraging men to remain committed to their responsibilities as parents and role models.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey