Fatherhood is divine calling, Panellists state on Fathers’ Day

Panellists at the maiden Mirror/Graphic Business Special Father’s Day Buffet Lunch have called on fathers to see their roles as divine and sacred.

The ideal father, they said, was the one who saw himself as God’s representative on earth, charged with the task of making a positive impact in the lives of those entrusted into his care.

The theme for the discussion was: “The father as the head and leader.”

“An ideal father sees his responsibility as a divine calling.

It’s like leadership — you do it because it is the right thing to do and not because you are expecting something in return,” the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanbic Bank, Mr Alhassan Andani, said.

The other panellist was the Head Pastor of the Calvary Temple branch of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Rev. Dr Anthony Cudjoe.

The panel discussion was moderated by the playwright and renowned motivational speaker, Uncle Ebo Whyte.

Event

The Mirror/Graphic Business Special Father’s Day Buffet Lunch was organised by the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), in partnership with Media General’s TV3 Network.

It was sponsored by Oak Plaza Hotel, Roverman Productions, Woodin, Latex Foam Ghana, X Men Ghana and Devtraco Plus.

The ticketed event brought fathers, father figures, their children and loved ones together under one umbrella to say a big thank you to fathers, as well as share and exchange ideas on how to promote good family principles.

The luncheon offered a platform that showed the way to building a generation of responsible fathers — sharing and exchanging ideas on relationships, fatherhood, savings and how to build financial capabilities as a father to cater for the family.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and share their views on how to become responsible fathers. Some also shared fond memories of their fathers and how helpful their fathers had been to them.

There were lucky dips, which saw winners taking home prizes such as mobile phones, mattresses and special treats at X Men Ghana, a men’s grooming parlour, one of the sponsors of the event.

Be merciful with fathers

Rev. Dr Cudjoe, in his presentation, urged people to be merciful with fathers and give them the same prominence they gave to mothers.

“It looks like this generation has not been merciful with fathers. When it’s Mother’s Day, it is celebrated on a grand scale, but when it’s Father’s Day, people call in to radio programmes and lambast their fathers,” he said.

He said the position of fatherhood was divine and must be revered, adding that “when a man is not there, a woman does not become deputy man or acting man.”

“The place of a father is irreplaceable and we should honour it,” Rev. Dr Cudjoe said.

For his part, Uncle Ebo Whyte said in spite of the changing trends, the core role of a father as a provider, protector, sustainer and pillar had not changed.

More exciting events

The Director of Marketing of the GCGL, Mr Franklin Sowa, said the event was part of the group’s efforts to bring exciting programming to its readers and the public.

“We did a successful Mother’s Day event and now we have done one for our dear fathers.

This is just the beginning of great things from us,” he said.