Junior Shapers Africa 'June for Fathers' Campaign

Accra, June 1, GNA - Ethel Marfo, the Founding Director of Junior Shapers Africa (JSA), has launched a series of programmes in the month of June on the theme: 'Addressing the challenges of the 21st century father towards ensuring stable families in Africa'.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mrs Marfo said her organisation decided to dedicate the month of June for fathers as she sees the need to address the need for them to be responsible and to try curbing the soaring indiscipline and lawlessness as a result of fatherhood crises in the country.

'We intend to celebrate men who are remarkable fathers and to inspire our young men or yet to be fathers on their journey to responsible manhood with a couple of scheduled programmes to educate the 21st Century Father,' she added.

She explained that as the maiden edition of June For Fathers ,JSA sought to motivate and groom boys to be responsible men, educate young men or yet- to be fathers with fatherhood tips and to educate and create the awareness on the celebration of fathers especially on the fathers' day celebration.

'The health of our men or fathers is also of upmost importance to the organization. We will run health talks along these programmes we are carrying out.

'The man is the head of the family setting and most at times the breadwinner, he must stay strong and healthy to keep the family running'.

Father's day comes off on the third Sunday in June every year, but the event however comes without the usual funfair and numerous enthusiastic activities that accompanied the celebration of Mothers' Day a month ago on May 8.

Over the years, various explanations had been assigned to the seeming lack of interest in the event, with many people saying that they were unaware of the event while others said they just don't have any interest in the celebration.

Junior Shapers Africa is a non-profit social enterprise committed to boys personal development and grooming.

The organisation had been concerned about the needs and challenges of boys who generally were not receiving any attention.

They organise mentoring clinics for boys in Public and Private Schools as well as communities whilst focusing on inculcating Life Skills, Healthy habits, Self- worth and Values.

The vision of JSA is to see a transformed Ghana and Africa where every young man upholds high standards of integrity and has strong family values and responsible for himself and his community.

JSA believes that a boy must see a responsible father to be responsible himself, thus focusing on the fathers this whole month of June.

The list of events, include 'June for Fathers campaign; where a wellness tour will be organised for corporate fathers from the 9th to 16th June.

The wellness tour will be followed by the maiden 'Ghana Dads Conference' to be held from the 17th of June from 0900 hours to 14:00 hours.

Activities will be crowned on the 18th of June with a JSA Super Fathers' Appreciation Day at 15:00 hours.

GNA

By Cecilia Diesob, GNA