Kumasi, July 30, GNA - Professor Seth Opuni Asiamah, former president of the Kumasi East Rotary Club, has debunked the notion that Rotarians practise occultism.

He said unlike occultist groups, rotary was a benevolent club, which existed to support the society as well as respect other religions. Prof Asiamah, who is a senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was speaking at the induction of a new president for the club in Kumasi at the weekend.

He mentioned some of the communities in the Ashanti region, which had benefited from the club's services since its introduction in 1990 as Wadie-Adwumakase, Krakosua, Patriensa, Kwanfifi in the areas of health care, education, provision of good drinking water and sanitation. He said apart from the villages, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) had also benefited from a 950,000 dollar-project supported by Rotary International through which some 300 children with clubfoot, had been cured while some three deaf were supported with hearing aids. Prof Asiamah, who is currently the treasurer, encouraged the public to join the Rotary club, saying, "a life given to others is a life that never dies" and asked the members not to relent in changing people's lives through their services.

Mr Charles Amoako, president of the club, explained that in line with its objective of improving health facilities, human lives and eradicating hunger, the club would fumigate the Kumasi Central Prisons and embark upon an anti-malaria campaign through the distribution of bed nets.

It will also a library named after the wife of the Asantehene, Julia Osei Tutu, for the Bantama cluster of schools.