Mr Sam Okudzeto, former President of the Ghana Bar Association, on Tuesday asked the electorate to always demand respect from those they vote into office.

He expressed dissatisfaction that some politicians donated paltry sums of money and items to induce the electorate to vote for them only to be treated with disrespect.

Mr Okudzeto, who is also a former Rotary International Director, was speaking at an executive breakfast meeting, organised by the Rotary International District 9102, in Accra.

He said it was only when the electorate discovered the significance of the political power through their votes that politicians would accord them respect.

Mr Okudzeto, who had been a member of the Rotary International Club for 46 years, underscored the value of enrolling as a member, saying it provided the platform for members to network with others and to undertake projects designed to impact positively on the lives of communities.

He urged Rotarians to translate the fellowship, friendship and other values and ideals of the club into providing services for the community.

Mr Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Chief Executive Officer of the UT Bank Ghana, said the country had the potential to be transformed through good leadership.

He expressed disappointment that democracy, which he described as the best form of governance, had not brought about transformational leadership for socio-economic development.

Mr Amoabeng said “one man, one vote” practice of electing a leader was not ideal. When the electorate are impoverished and desperately looking for relief, this kind of policy is dangerous”.

He said that the economic state of the electorate made them susceptible to undue influence from politicians with dire consequences.

Mr Amoabeng said corporate social responsibility was supposed to have been an addendum to the Government’s social interventions, saying “currently it is not the case. Corporate social responsibility has become the main thing because of insufficiency”.

Mr Patrick Awuah, Founder and President of the Ashesi University, a private institution of higher learning, advised corporate institutions and individuals to be driven by passion to impact positively on society, show love for humanity and promote environmental sustainability.

Mr Winfred Mensah, District Governor of Rotary International District 9102, said the benefits of joining the club included friendship, business development, cultural awareness, prestige, opportunity to serve, continuing education and fun.

Mr Mensah said Rotary stood for service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership adding “let me assure you that the moment you walk through the door of Rotary, the world opens to you”.

In 1958, Ghana became the fourth country in West Africa, the first in Anglophone West Africa and the 109th in the world in the Rotary world when the club was formally admitted into Rotary International in Accra.

At that ceremony, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana was made the first Honorary Member.

Activities undertaken by the Club include the establishment of a tuberculosis clinic at La Polyclinic, tree planting exercises, polio eradication programmes as well as the provision of eye and dental clinic facilities.