The visiting President and District Governor Jeffrey Afful
The President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin and wife, Esther, joined Rotarians in Ghana to celebrate sixty (60) years of Rotary, and its humanitarian service in Ghana. President Barry Rassin made a two-day stop in Ghana on Sunday 11th November after celebrating Rotary Day at United Nations in Kenya.
To meet him and his wife at the Kotoka International Airport were District Rotary leaders in Ghana led by District Governor Jeffrey Afful. A brief press interview of the president was held at the VVIP Lounge. In this interaction with the press, Rotary International President Barry stated that the purpose of his visit was primarily to thank Rotarians in Ghana for their hard work and commitment in touching lives in the communities. He hoped that Rotarians in Ghana would continue to be the inspiration to the less unfortunate in society.
To conclude the press interview, District Governor Jeffrey indicated that it was an honour for Rotarians in Ghana to host the Rotary International President. He said he believed that the visit and its activities would further inspire Rotarians to accomplish more humanitarian service programmes for communities in Ghana.
Rotary International President Barry then met with the District Rotary leaders where he delivered a message of inspiration while thanking them for their leadership in making District 9102 one of the most successful districts in the African zone.
A strong advocate of the youth, Rotary International President Barry also interacted with Rotaractors at an open forum, during which he addressed their concerns and encouraged them to continue the good deeds in the communities.
In the evening, it was time to have some fun so Rotary International President Barry and wife Esther joined Rotarians and guests in an all-white musical concert – an annual fundraising event for the Rotary Foundation at the plush Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.
Rotary International President’s trip to Ghana also saw him visiting a key Rotary project site – the Accra Rehabilitation Centre where Rotary Club of Accra – Sunrise is undertaking the renovation of the facility. The project when completed will deliver a decent refurbished and re-tooled place for the rehabilitation of the inmates. After the project site visit, he joined the first club to be chartered in Ghana in 1958 – the Rotary Club of Accra, for their weekly club meeting.
His visit would not have been complete without a courtesy call on the government of the Republic of Ghana. Rotary International President Barry and wife Esther called first on the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye at his office in Parliament House; and later on the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, in her office.
During interactions at these two places, discussions were held on the prospect of a more effective collaboration between the Government of Ghana and Rotary in the areas of Rotary’s humanitarian work.