The Absentee Father

Rev. Fr.

Joshua Awienagua Gariba (jagariba@ug.edu.gh/ghanaba55@gmail.com) is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Ghana, Legon. An Anthropologist who earned his PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, he teaches Social Anthropology, and Societies and Cultures of Africa to undergraduate students and Theoretical Anthropology to graduate students. He has published in international journals such as the Nordic Journal of African Studies, African Anthropologist and Anthropos. He is a visiting scholar at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium and Fordham University, USA. Gariba is currently researching on land disputes, ethnic and chieftaincy conflicts and mining activities in southern Ghana. He is a member of the Ghana Studies Association (GSA), Anthropos Institute International (AII) and the Ghana Sociological and Anthropological Association (GSAA).

Edwin Boachie-Yiadom is a Clinical Psychologist, Training Consultant and Lecturer with extensive experience in psychological assessment and evidence-based intervention within hospital and multidisciplinary settings. He holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is a PhD candidate in Public Health, specializing in social and behavioural sciences. His clinical work focuses on stress related conditions, anxiety disorders, trauma, and grief. He has worked with individuals, couples, and families facing complex relational and emotional challenges, including those arising from health-related crises and major life transitions. Edwin is recognized for his calm, empathetic, and collaborative professional style, creating structured environments that support open engagement while maintaining focus and direction. His approach is grounded in careful assessment of safety, readiness, and underlying psychological and relational dynamics, and he integrates evidence-based methods with culturally responsive practice. Alongside his decade plus clinical work at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Edwin contributes to academic training and professional development in counselling and psychotherapy, bringing a strong theoretical and research-informed perspective to his practice. His research interests in social and behavioural sciences further enhance his ability to provide balanced, contextually relevant insights in complex cases. He upholds high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and impartiality, and works effectively with other stakeholders in structured professional settings.

ESQ

Sheila Y. N. Minkah-Premo Esq. is a senior lawyer, development consultant and human rights activist. She holds a law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon and was called to the Ghanaian Bar in 1989. She also holds a master’s in law (LL.M) from the Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington DC, in the United States of America, 1995 where she studied as part of the Leadership and Advocacy on Women in Africa (LAWA) component of the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Programme. She is the Managing Consultant of ALC Law Consult, a law firm in Accra that provides legal services in civil law including corporate law, land securitisation and family law litigation. She is also a development consultant and has been involved in research on marriage laws and other family law related issues. Under the Legal Pluralism and Gender Pilot Project undertaken with funding from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) from 2007 to 2011. She continued with the same project with World Bank funding under the Ministry of lands from 2012 to 2017 She has been involved in the preparation of a number of policies including: a co- consultant for the development of a Gender Policy for the Judicial Service in 2011; the Justice for Children Police of 2015; the National Gender Policy of 2025 among others. She assisted with the drafting of laws including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) and others. She has worked on the human rights aspects of Harmful Traditional Practices at the African Union for GIZ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (2013). She also lectures in family law at The Law Institute, a paralegal training institute in Accra. She has worked in ensuring that women enjoy their constitutional rights. She is the Convener of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, which pushed for the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act of 2024. She led the Coalition to submit proposals to the Constitutional Review Committee of Ghana for the amendment of the Fourth Republican Constitution (1992) to mandate gender inclusion in election into Parliament. She is the President of the Ghana Bar Association’s Women’s Forum and a member of the Bar Council. She belongs to several human rights organisations including: LAWA-Ghana Alumnae Incorporated, African Women Lawyers Association, Africa Leadership Initiative for West Africa (ALIWA) and ZONTA Club, Ghana.

Michael is a lifelong educator and mentor whose work has shaped the lives of young people across some of Africa’s most demanding academic environments. Over three decades, he has served as a teacher, Head of Science, STEM Project Lead, Director of Residential Life, and Associate Dean. At the heart of his journey is a deep commitment to people. Michael is known for investing time where it matters most—in quiet, often unseen conversations with students navigating difficulty, doubt, and transition. Through this high-touch approach, he has helped turn around many critical cases. As a result of the impact of his work, Michael was tasked to develop tailored support systems for the prestigious African Leadership Academy, where he served for over a decade. The systems he established continue to shape the lives of young people way beyond their academics. At the core, Michael is not only as an educator but a lifelong nurturer of people – a father! Michael currently deploys his rich experience in advisory roles for educational institutions.

Dr

Peace Mamle Tetteh (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Sociology and the Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana. With 24 years of experience in academia, she has dedicated her career to shaping the next generation of scholars, mentoring thousands of students, and driving meaningful research and advocacy in Gender, Childhoods studies, Ethics and Social Policy. She has consulted for several National and International Organisations and trained many on themes related to Children’s Rights, Ethics, Reproductive Health and Gender. Prof Tetteh serves as a member of the Board of Goil-PLC and is the Board Chair of its subsidiary, GoButimen. She is a Life member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) and a member of the National Executives of the Ladies of the Fellowship. She is currently the National Team Lead of the Basic and Junior Schools Ministry, having previously served as the National Team Lead for the Hospital Ministry of the Fellowship. Prof Tetteh fellowships with the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC), and is married and blessed with 3 children. She loves Christian music, family-oriented movies, and loves to cook and spend time with young people and children.