Social clubs and voluntary associations have been urged to leverage their networks, expertise and resources to contribute more meaningfully to Ghana’s development.
Legal practitioner, Ace Anan Ankomah, said social organisations should move beyond friendship and fellowship and become platforms for community service, leadership development and positive national change.
He made the call at the 25th Anniversary Lecture of The Union Social Club in Accra, held on the theme, “Brotherhood and Nationhood.”
Mr Ankomah said the responsibility of developing Ghana could not be left to government alone, urging citizens and organised groups to take active roles in addressing challenges confronting their communities.
He said social clubs, alumni associations and professional bodies were well positioned to mobilise resources and expertise for initiatives in areas including education, healthcare and youth development.
According to him, the impact of a social club should not be measured by the prominence or social status of its members, but by the positive difference it makes in society.
He also stressed the importance of trust, mutual respect and shared responsibility among members, describing these values as essential to building strong communities and, ultimately, a strong nation.
Mr Ankomah encouraged social clubs to develop projects with clear objectives and measurable outcomes instead of limiting their activities to occasional social gatherings and charitable donations.
He further called on the leadership of The Union Social Club to prioritise mentorship and the development of young people to prepare the next generation for leadership.
Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who also spoke at the event, urged members of the Club to continue using their influence to contribute to Ghana’s development.
He encouraged social organisations to hold political leaders accountable while offering constructive ideas and support towards national progress.
Emeritus Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, also highlighted the benefits of belonging to social organisations and encouraged The Union to remain committed to its founding ideals.
He was honoured with a citation for his contribution to the development of the Club.
The President of The Union Social Club, Dr Isaac Adupong, said the organisation would continue to adapt to changing times while preserving the principles upon which it was founded.
The Union Social Club, which comprises mainly alumni of the University of Ghana, is marking its 25th anniversary with activities aimed at reflecting on its contribution to friendship, fellowship and national development.
The anniversary lecture brought together personalities from academia, business, politics, the media and civil society to discuss the role of social organisations in Ghana’s development.
