National organizations of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) world wide meet once a year to in their localities to discuss issues bordering on the organization and also elect leaders for the coming year. This year’s national convention was hosted by the JCI City Mines chapter of JCI Ghana in Tarkwa, in the western region of Ghana where the chapter is based.
The convention started with a JCI Official Training, followed by a welcome party for delegates hosted by the Queen Mother of Tarkwa, a visit to the Gold Fields Mines, a General Assembly, a Dinner Dance and capped by a visit to the village on water Nzulezu.
Among the dignitaries that patronized the convention was Madam Florence Ansere-Bio of Gold Fields Ghana Limited.
Speaking on the theme of the Convention Madam Florence Ansere-Bioh, the Community Affairs Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, called on JCI Ghana to step up its efforts of making positive impact in communities where it operates.
She commended JCI members for committing themselves to serving mankind through undertaking projects at the community level. She underscored the commitment of Gold Fields Ghana Limited to making impact in communities where they operate.
This is shown in the launching of the Goldfields Ghana Foundation being the first of its kind in the mining sector in 2004 and the adoption of the Sustainable Community Empowerment and Economic Development (SEED) Program which seeks to improve education, health, water and sanitation and economic development in their operational communities.
She indicated that through the foundation the company has already spent over $8million on education alone with other huge investment made in the health and sanitation sectors in their operational communities.
Mr. Albert Ankrah, the Executive Director of Ghana Gulf Chamber of Commerce and President of JCI Ghana in addressing the General Assembly enumerated the various achievements of JCI Ghana under his administration. Among others are the various partnerships built with Galaxy Capital, the UNAIDS, the American Embassy in Ghana, the Columbia Embassy, Peruvian Embassy, Japanese Embassy, Turkish Embassy and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
He commended the membership of JCI Ghana especially Chief Delegates and National Board Members for the various services rendered in undertaking projects and taking the National Organization to higher levels.
Among others, Mr. Ankrah mentioned the renovation of the Divisional Police Headquarters in Tarkwa, the Brighten Your Corner Library Project in La South Primary in Accra, the Health is Wealth Project at Street Kids Academy in Accra, the Hand Wash Project in Kwadaso, Kumasi, the HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigmatization project in Kumasi, the Datoyili Sanitation project in Tamale where a 20-Seater Aqua Privy Latrine is being constructed and the Nothing But Nets Project in La-Accra as some of the projects undertaken by JCI Ghana in 2015.
He expressed his delight at the hard work put in by members in successfully hosting the Africa and Middle East Conference of JCI in Accra earlier this year in May, where over three thousand delegates from thirty four countries attended. He said JCI is ten years old in Ghana as such the tenth anniversary is going to be launched at a dinner to be hosted by the Japanese Ambassador in Ghana on 24th November in Accra. He called on members to patronize activities lined up to mark the tenth anniversary.
The Convention also saw the election of a Development Worker and Executive Director of Savana Signatures and Chief Executive of Savsign Global Solutions who doubles as the 2015 JCI Ghana Executive Vice President, John Stephen Agbenyo as the 2016 National President. He received an overwhelming endorsement by Chief Delegates to lead the National Organization in the coming year.
In thanking Chief Delegates for the confidence reposed in him, Mr. Agbenyo promised to continue the visibility drive started by his processor Mr. Ankrah. He charged Chief Delegates to hold him responsible for what he has promised to deliver by the end of his tenure as JCI Ghana President.
He reiterated his commitment to implement sustainable projects that will make sustainable impact and to enhance the capacity of JCI Ghana members to impact their communities positively. He called on members to rally behind him to achieve greater heights for JCI Ghana by playing a lead role in the implementation of the global goals adopted by the just ended United Nations General Assembly.
Other officers elected to serve JCI Ghana for the year 2016 are Mr. Stephen Kweku-Darku (SDK) a business executive as the Executive Vice President, Mr. Richard Harcourt Crabbe Abbey, 2015 JCI Dansoman President, and Mr. Awortwe Arthur, 2015 National Training Director, as Vice Presidents.
Delegates at the Convention expressed their delight at the hospitable reception accorded them by JCI City Mines and commended the Convention Organizing Committee (COC) headed by Mr. Justice Abban for being a wonderful host.