Tuesday, June 29, 2026
Accra

Speech delivered by Rotarian Klenam Fiadzoe at the Handover Ceremony
2025/26 President of the Rotary Club of Accra-South

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Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, and distinguished guests,

It is a privilege to stand before you today as I conclude my term as President of the Rotary Club of Accra-South.

As I reflect on this past year, the power of our collective action is undeniable; when we unite for a common purpose, our impact is transformative. 

As highlighted in my recap, we have successfully championed major initiatives that have made a tangible difference in our community.

Over the past year, our footprint has been wide and meaningful. 

We have prioritized essential infrastructure, from renovating the CHPS compound in Mankrong to serve thousands of rural folk to renovating the kitchen and providing brand new industrial milling machines for the James Camp Prison. 

Our commitment to sustainability led us to Jamestown for a meaningful beach clean-up, where we 250+ volunteers helped us haul some 33,500 kg of waste away from our coastline in efforts to tackle the growing threat of textile and plastic waste. 

Furthermore, 

We planted trees, held STEM clinics and vocational training sessions with the Rotary Club of Ho.

We also partnered with our parent club, the Rotary Club of Accra-East, to bring life-saving breast cancer screenings and awareness to the business community at the Madina Market. 

We engaged youth through a career guidance project at Zion College in Anloga, where we spoke to over 1,200 senior high school students about the evolving landscape of modern careers.

And with A Rotary Global Fund & partnership we will donate some 50 wheelchairs, setup a wheelchair maintenance facility, and spend some 200+ volunteer hours to train Persons with disability 

However, Fellow Rotarians and guests,

while we focus on our external impact, we must never lose sight of the most important resource in Rotary: its members.

As Rotarians, we dedicate our time, and resources to the greater good, and we are reminded of that shared sacrifice every time we raise a glass "to Rotarians wherever they may be."

From our firesides to the hard, rewarding work of our service projects, and the invaluable expertise we share, remember our individual contributions form the heartbeat of Rotary. 

This year, our members have continued to shine on both the District and International stages.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the nomination of Rotarian Shika as District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND),

and the recognition of Past District Governor (PDG) Yvonne, who was awarded the "Service Above Self" award—the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Directors of Rotary International 2025/26 Rotary Year.

I am also delighted to announce that our club is on track to receive the Rotary Club Excellence Award, a testament to our success in achieving the goals we set for the 2025/26 Rotary Year.

Fellow Rotarians, 

My Rotary journey began in Rotaract, where I served from 2013 to 2016. 

Since then, the last decade has been an extraordinary chapter of my life. 

Marking my 13th year as a Rotarian, I reflect on the deep friendships forged and the privilege of serving within a global network that values community and is steadfast in tackling our world’s most pressing challenges. 

It has been a truly fulfilling journey thus far.

It is humbling to know that every action we take and every decision we make has a ripple effect that touches the lives of those we serve. 

As we mark our Silver Jubilee this 2025/26 Rotary Year, let us take immense pride in our quarter-century legacy: the projects delivered, and the enduring friendships built. 

Over these past years, I have come to fully understand the essence of purpose, impact, and what "Service Above Self" truly demands.

As we look toward the next 25 years and beyond, let us draw wisdom from our past to architect an even brighter future.

However, 

Fellow Rotarians, 

We cannot architect the future without embracing technology. 

It is vital that we continue to adapt to emerging digital tools to accelerate our processes and amplify our impact. 

This past year, we significantly improved our visibility as a community impact partner by leveraging our online presence.

We simply cannot meet the speed of modern need with an analog toolkit. 

The aggressive adoption of technology, in particular, has been a cornerstone of this administration—a trend that will only grow in the years ahead.

I am confident that the incoming administration will build upon the digital foundations we have established. 

On a related note, our industrial visit to the Or Foundation this year provided a sobering yet clarifying perspective on the impact of global textile and electronic waste, challenging me to think more critically about our role in protecting our marine ecosystems.

Fellow Rotarians,

As Accra continues to grapple with devastating floods due to the effects of climate change and bad human practices, we must confront a difficult question: What is the role of Rotary, and what is our individual responsibility as Rotarians?

In a recent writeup in the Rotary International official blog, I shared a conviction that I believe is more relevant today than ever:

"While our cities grow and our ecosystems face unprecedented pressure, our environment demands an enduring, sustained, collective commitment. 

We must pursue strategic collaborations that can scale our efforts to restore our water, coastal, and forest ecosystems. 

We must tackle legacy waste and double our efforts to plant trees, fund local environmental initiatives, and utilize our professional networks to advocate for stronger waste management regulations."

As "People of Action," we have a decisive role to play. 

By tackling this crisis head-on, we are not only protecting our environment; we are safeguarding our homes, our livelihoods, our economy, and our collective future. 

Fellow Rotarians,

As I begin to conclude,

I must first express my gratitude to God for the grace to serve.

To my wife Ellen and my daughter Zanetor, family and friends,

Thank you for all the support.

To the 2025/26 Club Officers:

PN Karen, for your tireless commitment to membership.
PP Robert Sam, for your invaluable knowledge.
PP Fitnat, for your sage advice and service as Welfare Chair.
Rtn Pomaa, for steering our fundraising initiatives.
Rtn Abigail, for your leadership in our contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
Rtn Nii Ablorh, for helping to elevate our Public Image.
Rtn Enoch, for your service as New Generations Chair.

To the 2025/26 Board—VP Hilda, PE Alex, Rtn Trudy, Rtn Gonzalves, Rtn Emmanuel—and our Directors, PP Amarkine, PP Francis, PN Karen, Rtn Obodai, and Rtn Adoma: thank you for your wisdom, your guidance, and your partnership in steering our club.

Special recognition also goes to

The Anniversary Committee, chaired by Rtn Ken and CP Tony, for all your service to mark our Silver Jubilee with precision.
PP David S, for your total dedication to our projects.
Rtn Adoma, for your constant dependability.
AG Gerry, for running the Zongo so efficiently.
CP Tony, for your continued stewardship of our "gutter-side" fellowship.

To PDG Yvonne, DGND Shika, PAG Larry, PAG David, PP Robbie, PP Cyril, and PP George Tettey, for the mentorship, advice, and steadfast support that kept me grounded.

Finally, to PP Johnnie, PP Kristine Rotarians Oko, Godwin, Action, Soraya, Teena, William, Zainab, Peter, Farida, Ato, Olivia, Juliana, Nana Kwame and every single member of the Rotary Club of Accra-South: thank you for the fellowship, the service, and the memories we have created together.

To our new generation club, Rotaract.

You truly are “Rotary in Action”.

Let us continue to unite for good, identifying the challenges in our communities and, crucially, taking the lead in solving them to create lasting change within our communities.

Thanks to Past Rotaractor President Ethelbert, Rotaract President Patrick and the entire membership of the Rotaract Club of Accra-South.

To our new Rotarians: Rotary demands commitment before it yields rewards. 

I urge you to keep showing up, keep serving, and trust the process.

Lets all rally behind the next administration and our club in the coming Rotary Year.

Finally, Fellow Rotarians and guests, I must thank one individual. 

This past year, I have been supported by a truly remarkable person that offered me speed, insight, and innovation with nothing more than a prompt. 

To my AI Assistant, Thank you for making my work so efficient and effortless. 

Thanks to these technological advancements, I am happy to pass on a "digitally ready" club to my successor.

Now finally, Fellow Rotarians,

I urge us all to continue to put action behind our words, for we are, above all, People of Action. 

We do not just observe our communities; we transform them.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your President.

The work continues. 

Forza Rotary Club of Accra-South!

Forza RCAS! 

Akpe!

Thank you.

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