Mr Richmond Worgbah, Rotaract National Coordinator, on Wednesday called on all and sundry to join Rotaract clubs to help contribute to service to humanity.

He said: "We encourage every member of the public to help contribute to service humanity by joining a local Rotaract Club."

Mr Worgbah made the call in a statement by Rotaract Ghana to mark the celebration of 44th World Rotaract Day, copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday.

Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30.

Rotaract clubs are either community or institutional based, and they’re sponsored by a local Rotary club, making them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary.

As one of Rotary’s most significant and fastest-growing service programmes, with more than 8,400 clubs in about 170 countries and geographical areas, Rotaract has become a worldwide phenomenon.

The statement said, currently, there were more than 20 Rotaract clubs in Ghana, which were both community and institutional based.

"There are more than 500 Rotaractors in Ghana, who play various leadership roles in delivering on the purpose, and the three main activities of Rotaract are community service, professional service and leadership development.

Rotaract clubs organise a variety of projects and activities, depending primarily on the interests of members of the club.

However, within the Rotaract programme, all clubs undertake three types of activities in varying degrees: professional development, leadership development, and service projects.

Together, these three areas ensure a balanced club programme and provide important experience and opportunities for the personal development of each Rotaractor.

All Rotaract efforts begin at the local, grassroots level, with members addressing their communities’ physical and social needs while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service.

Every year, Rotaractors and Rotarians around the world celebrate World Rotaract Week, commencing from March 13, to commemorate the founding of the first club in 1968.

World Rotaract Week is a time for celebrating the success and importance of the Rotaract programme.

This event is also an excellent opportunity to inform members of their community about the amazing work that Rotaract clubs do, and give them an opportunity to get involved.

"On this occasion of the 44th World Rotaract Day, We as Rotaractors in Ghana join our counterparts in more than 170 countries worldwide to invite members of the public in celebrating the successes and achievements of the Rotaract programme in Ghana and beyond.

"We encourage every member of the public to help contribute to service to humanity by joining a local Rotaract Club today. More information on the activities of Rotaract can be found on www.rotaract.org.

"We thank every Rotaractor, Rotarian, media and stakeholders that have in one way or the other contributed towards the success of the Rotaract programme in Ghana. Your efforts have truly helped us to reach within to embrace humanity."

Service defines Rotaract character and is the basis for its appeal and visibility in the community.

Each Rotaract club is required to complete at least two major service projects annually: one to benefit the community and the other to promote international understanding.

Rotaract clubs in Ghana have over the years contributed to community development through various projects that ranges from construction of library complex at Otinibi, construction of a three unit classroom block at Adaklu, adoption of patients’ wards at Adabraka Polyclinic, blood donation to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Blood Bank, donation of food items and learning materials to the Frafraha Orphanage and deprived schools in the Adaklu District.

Rotaract clubs in Ghana have collaborated with their counterparts abroad in providing the basic needs of the communities; such as the Strasburg and Accra Labone Rotaract clubs have made several donations to the Ho leprosarium.

Rotaract clubs are honouring the professional and leadership skills of its members and undertaking service projects that are making positive contributions in communities around the world.

Rotaract leadership development activities aims not to only make its members more effective leaders in their personal lives but also to teach them how to develop and sustain strong clubs through projects.

Rotaract, Rotary International's service club programme for young adults was officially inaugurated during January 1968 under President Luther Hodges.

On 13 March 1968, the Rotaract Club of the University of North Carolina, sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, was the first Rotaract club to receive its official charter.

Although this club is recognised as the first Rotaract club, Rotarians have been sponsoring similar organizations for young adults since the early 1920s.

Goals of Rotaract are to develop professional and leadership skills and to emphasise respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual.

Others are, to recognise the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve, to recognise, practice, and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities.

The rest are, to develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems, and opportunities in the community and worldwide, to provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill towards all people.

Rotary International is an organisation of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world.

The stated purpose of the organisation is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. It is a secular organisation open to all persons regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or political preference.

There are 34,301 clubs and over 1.22 million members worldwide.

The members of Rotary Clubs are known as Rotarians. Members usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner, which is a social event as well as an opportunity to organise work on their service goals.**