President Congratulates Fathers

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday congratulated Ghanaian fathers on the occasion of the Father's Day celebration and called for responsible parenting in the country.

The President, who was speaking yesterday to the presidential press corps in Abuja, Nigeria, where he is attending an emergency ECOWAS Summit, lauded fathers for their  contribution to the development of the individual families and the Ghanaian society in general, but noted that there was more to be done to secure a better future for the younger generation.

He said some of the challenges facing children could be attributed to irresponsible parenting.

“Some parents have abandoned their roles in the development of children who are the future leaders of this country,”  President Mills said and also wished mothers well.

He urged parents to inculcate in children the values of love for one another, honesty and hardwork which are required for a successful nation-building.

“I have great faith in the youth of the nation to become good leaders,” he said, adding that what the youth needed was guidance from the older generation.

President Mills also told the press corps, which had called on him to wish him a “Happy Father's Day”, that he was confident the youth would continue to play their roles for effective national growth.

The President commended the Black Stars, the senior national team, on its victory over Sudan on Saturday.

He also wished President Jerry John Rawlings a happy birthday.