Optimist International President visits Ghana

Bankyease (W/R), June 12, GNA - Mr Theodore Golding, President of Optimist International currently visiting Ghana, on Thursday said children were important future leaders who must be groomed to assume responsible positions in transforming society. He said the future of many countries could be affected unless strategic plans were made to expose the unexplored ideas of children and guided them into adulthood.

Mr Golding said this at the inauguration of the Effia-Kwesiminstim branch of Optimist International, a non-profit organization that provides significant funding for charitable, literary and educational purposes.

The inauguration formed part of the President's five-day visit to Ghana.

He said children must be trained and assisted to take proper care of the environment, whilst at the same time learning about good governance, respect for the law, the promotion of patriotism and the involvement in community development.

Mr. Goding said Optimist International had adopted June 7 every year as Optimist Earth Day and urged all children to plant trees to safeguard the environment.

Mr. Golding said the Optimist Creed expects everyone to be cheerful, be positive minded, forget about the mistakes of the past and press on and give so much time to personal development. He said these tenets, if upheld, could assist children to be positive about life, be role models for other children and set a new standard for society.

Mr. Samuel Quaicoo, President of the Effia-Kwesiminstim said three clubs would be inaugurated in the Western Region as part of the visit.