Rotary District 9102 celebrates 60th anniversary

24th October which marks the world Polio Day also marks the birthday of Rotary Ghana introduced in Ghana 60 years ago in 1958 by Mr. Daniel Quist with the formation Rotary Club of Accra.

Rotary Club of Accra was admitted into RI on October 24, 1958; the membership was made up of seventeen Europeans, nine Ghanaians, one Lebanese and one Indian.

In 2014, Rotary Ghana became known as District 9102 with over 40 clubs. The 60th anniversary highlights activities bordering on a continuous effort in enhancing humanitarianism and social change at the plush Marriot Hotel in Accra.

Since October 1958 when the first Rotary Club in Ghana was launched, members of the club have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to act on sustainable projects from literacy and peace to water and health.

As part of its activities Rotary District 9102 through the Rotary Foundation and in collaboration with UNICEF Ghana has launched the “End Polio Now ” Campaign.

The press launch was graced by past Rotary International Director, Sam Okudzeto; past District Governors, Adotei Brown, Robert Attah, Winfried Mensah and Sam Worentetu; District Nominee, Yvonne Kumoji Darko; as well as Rotary partners.

District Governor of Rotary International District 9102, Jeffery Afful, highlighted the club’s motto “Service Above Self”, which has been evident in the implementation of its six core areas of focus including the promotion of peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies.

“Projects too many to enumerate have been undertaken by all the clubs in Ghana...the largest Rotary intervention in the health sector in Ghana was the advocacy of Rotary to get the Ministry of Health of Ghana to adopt the National Immunization Days as the surest way to eliminate polio,” he disclosed.

I can say that by Rotary’s pioneering advocacy role and support for the programme, the last case of polio in the country was recorded 10 years ago,” he stated.

Touching on the issue of punctuality, District Governor, Afful, said the club launched the Punctuality and Time Management project to help wean society off the rather dubious ‘Ghanaman Time’ syndrome under its economic and community development area of focus – a project the club has championed over the years with some significant impact being recorded.

He further indicated that Rotarians believe in ‘one profits most who serves best’ adding that the club was committed to creating inroads with people so that opportunities to serve would arise from those connections.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders and problem-solvers, who see a world where people unite and act to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Beginning with the pioneer club, there are now 49 Rotary Clubs in Ghana.

The membership of the 49 clubs in Ghana is part of Rotary District 9102 which falls under Zone 20A in Africa.