Churches Urged to Play Stronger Role in Promoting Family Values
As the world commemorates the International Day of Families, former General Secretary of the Assemblies of God Ghana, Rev. Dr. John B. Ghartey, is calling on churches to take a more active and deliberate role in strengthening family values and moral upbringing within society.
According to Rev. Dr. Ghartey, religious institutions remain central to the moral and social development of communities and therefore have a critical responsibility to help nurture stable families and responsible future generations.
Speaking on the Roundtable Segment of the Business Breakfast Show on ZED 101.9FM, he noted that churches possess enormous influence over their congregations and should use that influence positively to promote discipline, integrity, respect and healthy family relationships.
He stressed that the growing social and economic pressures confronting families today require stronger guidance and support systems from faith-based organisations.
Rev. Dr. Ghartey explained that many societal problems, including rising indiscipline among the youth, broken homes and moral decline, can be addressed effectively when churches intentionally focus on family development and value-based teaching.
According to him, churches must go beyond spiritual activities and become more actively involved in counselling, parenting education and mentorship programmes that help families navigate modern challenges.
He emphasised the need for religious leaders to consistently preach and demonstrate principles such as love, responsibility, commitment, honesty and mutual respect within marriages and family life.
The former General Secretary further indicated that parents also have a major responsibility to instil strong moral values in their children from an early age, adding that the home remains the first institution where character is formed.
He warned that weakening family structures could have serious long-term consequences for national development, social cohesion and the moral fabric of society.
Rev. Dr. Ghartey therefore encouraged churches to collaborate with schools, communities and other stakeholders to promote positive values and provide support for vulnerable families.
He noted that building strong families is essential to raising responsible citizens and creating peaceful and productive communities.
According to him, the future of every society is largely dependent on the quality of values and guidance provided within the family unit.
The International Day of Families is observed annually to highlight the importance of families as the basic unit of society and to raise awareness about issues affecting family wellbeing across the world.
