Fathers must be involved in raising their children – Celestine Donkor

Gospel musician and author Celestine Donkor has highlighted the critical role fathers play in raising children, crediting much of her daughters' upbringing to the active involvement of her husband.

The mother of three girls made these remarks at the second edition of Convergence of Mothers organised by media personality MzGee.

She disclosed that parenting has been a shared responsibility in her home from the very beginning.

According to her, her husband has remained deeply involved in every stage of their daughters' lives, helping to shape their values, discipline and spiritual growth.

"I thank God that my husband is very involved in raising our girls," she said.

Donkor revealed that despite being their mother, she can count the number of times she has personally dropped her daughters off at school because that responsibility has largely been handled by their father.

"I can count the number of times I have dropped them in school, and that would be when he has travelled," she said.

She explained that the school run has become more than a transportation routine. It is also a time for prayer, conversation and bonding between father and daughters.

"They have their prayer time on their way to school," she disclosed.

The musician noted that her husband's involvement extends beyond daily routines. She described him as someone who invested in learning about parenting long before they became parents.

According to her, he read extensively on parenting and family life, equipping himself with knowledge that later helped shape their approach to raising children.

Some of the family traditions they practise today, including regular family engagement, intentional value formation and spiritual development, were influenced by lessons gathered from those parenting resources.

Donkor believes one of the greatest mistakes families can make is treating child-rearing as the sole responsibility of mothers.

For her, children benefit when both parents actively participate in their upbringing.

She said the partnership between mother and father creates consistency in discipline, values and expectations, making it easier for children to thrive.

Reflecting on her family's journey, Donkor expressed gratitude for the role her husband has played in raising their daughters, describing his contribution as invaluable.