The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says statistics from the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), now Department of Social Development (DSD) show that 7,259 maintenances were reported to the department in 2014 alone.
This to them shows that a growing number of fathers are shirking their responsibility towards their children.
“The men are the guiltiest” a statement released by the Ministry stated.
The statement further called on fathers to renew their commitment to their offsprings as the world marks Fathers’ Day saying, “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.
The Ministry however extended its warm felicitations to all fathers on this occasion of Fathers’ Day.
“Fathers, they say 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. 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.”
The Ministry further encouraged 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.
This to them 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.’
“We congratulate all fathers, especially single parent fathers and persons who have stood in for others as fathers.”
By: Raymond Acquah/citifmonline.com/Ghana