Theologian, motivational speaker and founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil, has said every generation of the human race stands on the shoulder of fathers.
Every community, society and family, he said, stands on fathers and indicated when there is a breakdown in the home and fathers are absent, that societal or family unit will also break down.
“When we create single-parent homes where single mothers are raising men, our society will collapse. We need men to be there to raise their sons and raise their daughters with their wives and mothers of their children…”
“We need men to be there in the home and to be added to the lives of their children, to pay attention and attend their events, especially for those of you who are young fathers, to be there for their sports games and all the things they do, to be there to watch them,” he stated.
Dedicating a part of his Sermon on Sunday 19th June, 2022 at the Christ Temple East, Teshie to the Fathers’ Day celebration, which falls on the same day, Pastor Otabil acknowledged the efforts of new generations of men who have demonstrated commitment to their family duties.
“It is heartening to see men play that role in our society where it has been lacking for a very long time and I say confidently that we have an awesome generation of fathers.”
“For all of the young fathers who are trying so hard to do the right thing, God bless you. You are the beginning of a great generation.”
Father’s Day is a holiday honouring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society.
In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day since the Middle Ages on June 19 and in the United States, it was celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910.
The day is, however, held on various dates across the world, and different regions maintain their own traditions of honouring fatherhood.
Pastor Mensa Otabil stated that the future of Africa is based on the founders of the continent and noted that for so long it has had a society raised by mothers.
According to him, it is time for the men to show up and acknowledged those showing up.
He argued the age-old mantra, ‘but for my mother, but for my mother’ is the story of the previous generation that needs to be changed.
He said, “We want a new generation who, in addition to saying ‘but for my mother’, they will also be able to say ‘but for my father’; my father made the sacrifice.”
“We want my father was there’ testimonies; there are too few of those testimonies and need a lot of them,”
“So fathers, you are rising up and we thank God for your lives. We want to see more of you, especially the young men. You must be different, please don’t mess up; don’t go out and be reckless and think you are having fun. No, you are messing up the future of people.”
“I pray that this generation will get it right and I hope you will get better,” he added.
Father’s Day is a recognised public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain and was regarded as such in Italy until 1977.
It is a national holiday in Estonia, Samoa, and equivalently in South Korea, where it is celebrated as Parents’ Day.
The holiday complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Mother’s Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents’ Day.
