Liberia: Celebrated evangelist wants African men to show affection to their children & women

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher in Monrovia, Liberia

In American culture, children are so accustomed to hearing parents tell them “I love you” almost daily. This is simply a way to reassure their little ones of their affection for them, while at the same time boosting the children’s own self esteem which is necessary for growth. 

Most African men, however, aren’t that way; they in fact do not show affection to their own children nor wives-a behavior that some social scientists including theologians now think may carry some cultural component.   

Accordingly, ‘fathers’ found to be involved in this behavior are most likely to turn grumpy even over trivial stuff their children do and rather than correct them in a loving manner, they will shout, use cuss words and assault their own children, a behavior that leaves lasting effects on the child’s life. 

This type of attitude seems to be prevalent among Liberian men living both at home and in the diaspora. It’s seemingly a serious issue that Liberia’s renowned evangelist Rev. Dr. Christian Dagadu wants to see change.

Rev. Dagadu however hastened to attribute this problem to “cultural lifestyle” and added that men who are engaged in such ‘bad cultural practice’ may have been similarly victimized by their own parents at the early stages of their lives and now turn to transfer it to their own children. 

But in order to discourage the practice and fix such a seemingly chronic ‘cultural’ problem, Dagadu on Sunday, June 30th, drew his “Happy Father’s Day” sermon on the subject and encouraged the men especially, in his Pentecostal church to tell their little ones “I love you” before nightfall.

“Stop hurting your children even when they do wrong…make a difference; change your attitude [toward them] and show love to your children” said the smooth-talking Rev. Dagadu, as he paid honor to the men of his Christian Evangelistic Pentecostal Church (CEPC), located near CEMENCO along the Japanese Freeway in Bushrod Island. 

He advised both men and women to always say “nice things” to their little ones, things that may inspire them as well as change their lives, as he referenced a couple of Bible verses including Ephesians 6:4 which warns parents against “provoking” their children to “anger.” 

Another family activity he said Fathers or parents could do to make their children happy is, taking the kids out for a treat such as going to an ice cream shop and getting them some ice cream and having fun’ and ‘not yielding when they make mistakes.’

Dr. Christian Dagadu received his second Doctorate Degree in Biblical Theology from Spiritual Life Bible College/Seminary, U.S.A. last May. Like his wife Rev. Precious JL Dagadu, who co-pastors CEPC, Pastor Dagadu has served in Christian Ministry for over 40 years and moves in most of the NINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

He’s an international evangelistic preacher and has toured America, Europe, Asia and Africa, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He has visited The Holy Land of Israel and preached in countless nations including, Kosovo, England, South Korea, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Mali and Sierra Leone.

He told the men to apply similar “affection” to their women and not abuse them. Dagadu spoke from a cultural perspective because it’s still quite common for Liberian men to whip their “lovers” or “wives” without being arrested by the police despite the presence of a national Gender Bureau which campaigns for women’s rights in the country.   

The Special Father’s Day event later turned into a festive celebration, with the men of CEPC in turn heaping honors upon Dr. Dagadu and presenting him a (two-piece) beautifully-tailor-made African garment. 

The church’s Mother Rev. Precious Dagadu was also celebrated and honored alongside her husband, Rev. Dagadu.   

Editor’s Note: Photographs from Sunday’s Father’s Day celebrations at CEPC in Bushrod Island, Monrovia. All photographs by author.