Legon Lions Club Donates to Visually Impaired Students

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu receiving the cheque from the Lions Club

Members of the Legon Lions Club have presented an amount of One Thousand five hundred dollars (US$1,500) to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu towards the education of visually-impaired students of the University.

Presenting the cheque, Lion Elizabeth Agyeiwa Wireko, President of the Legon Lions Club, recounted some of the activities undertaken by the Club. These include tree planting within communities and helping the needy, especially handicapped students.  She indicated that currently the Club has a project underway which is the institution of an award for the best graduating visually impaired student of the University.

Lion Agyeiwa Wireko disclosed that the Lion President for the 2016/2017 Service Year, Lion Daniel Baidoo, initiated a move to institute an annual Prize for five (5) years to the Best Graduating Visually Challenged student at the University of Ghana. This is because the Legon Club has very close relations with the Office of Students with Special Needs. He donated the seed money together with Lion Enoch Amartey for this purpose. The initiative finally got the approval from the University.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, who received the cheque on behalf of the University, expressed immense appreciation to the Legon Lions Club for the kind gesture and commended them for the love extended to the physically challenged students.  Prof. Owusu underscored the need for humanity to extend a helping hand to the less-privileged in the society.

He noted that since he assumed office as Vice-Chancellor, he has personally embarked on raising funds to help the physically challenged students adding that Star Assurance Ghana Limited, Kimathi and Associates and other organisations have made donations to the Office of Students with Special Needs.   He seized the opportunity to urge individuals and corporate bodies to donate to support the needy.  He added that most people live affluent lifestyles and forget about the underprivileged. He said it was important to assist them to develop their potential and equip them to live sustainable lives. He encouraged the Lions to extend their benefaction to other underprivileged persons outside of the University of Ghana as well.

The District Governor for District 418 – Ghana, Lion Dr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu in brief remarks gave a background to the formation of the Legon Lions Club.   According to him, in November 2006, he invited a number of friends comprising lecturers and administrators on campus to come together so they could form the Legon Lions Club since he was then a lecturer at the School of Communications.  He mentioned that on 6th November 2006, the Club had its first meeting at Legon Hall Senior Common Room with twelve people in attendance.    The Club received a charter from the International Association on 14th June 2008, officially becoming the Legon Lions Club. He explained that the Legon Lions Club is part of the biggest Service Club in the world; The International Association of Lions Clubs. The Lions are also referred to as 'Knights of the Blind'. Legon Lions Club falls under District 418.  

As part of the ceremony, the District Governor, Legon Lions Club, Lion Dr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu, conferred an honorary Lions status on the Vice-chancellor for his humanitarian services to the needy in society by decorating him with a Lions membership pin. This was overwhelmingly endorsed by other Lions present with a mighty Roar.

Present at the ceremony were Lion Alfred Quartey, 1st Vice-President; Lion Kwame Ofori Tutu, Immediate Past President; Lion Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Past President; Lion Daniel Baidoo, Past President;  Lion Elizabeth Hansen, Educationist and member, Legon Lions Club; Lion George Sarbah, Assistant Tail Twister; Lion Benedict Adzogble, Treasurer; Lion Charles Kofinti; International Service Director; Lion Olivia Ewura-Ama Arthur, Marketing Communication Director, Legon Lions Club and Lion Joshua Ofori Essiam, Secretary, Legon Lions Club.

Other officials from the University who witnessed the ceremony were Dr. Ibrahim Bedi, Director, Internal Audit; Mrs. Yvonne Lartey, Assistant Registrar, Academic Affairs Directorate and Mrs. Mavis Osafo Adu, Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate.