The Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones, will be visiting Ghana next week for a three-day duty tour, accompanied by her partner, Rotarian Nick Krayacich.
President Jones, who made history as the first woman to lead the global humanitarian service organisation, Rotary International in its 117-year history, is on a duty tour of Africa; which includes Rotary District 9102 made up of Ghana, Togo, Benin and Niger.
During her visit, Ms. Jones will meet with Rotarians, inspect ongoing Rotary International projects in Ghana, commission completed ones and interact with some beneficiaries. She will also meet key officials in government and partner-organisations.
Jennifer Jones’ talents have strengthened Rotary’s reach and impact through many roles – including as Rotary International (RI) Vice President, Director, Training Leader, Committee Chair, Moderator, and District Governor.
Ms. Jones played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now: Make History Campaign, which aims to raise US$150million for polio eradication efforts working alongside Bill and Melinda Gates and their foundation.
Ms. Jones is a leader in cultivating ‘experiential fundraising’ opportunities such as Rotary’s Polio Golf Day with Jack Nicklaus in Jupiter, Florida, USA, which raised over US$5.25million for polio eradication in one day. She was also key in innovative, virtual COVID-19 #RotaryResponds event that raised money for COVID-19 relief projects and showcased Rotary’s response across the globe.
Working alongside political figures, celebrities and global leaders, she uses her voice to raise awareness and hundreds of millions of dollars to eradicate diseases, support peace and provide clean water and sanitation in developing areas of the world. Her skill as an expert storyteller inspires hope and promise, and motivates people to take action.
President Jones is also founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor, Canada. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor, and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.
She has been recognised for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award – a first for a Canadian.
Commenting on the visit of the Rotary International President to Ghana, Victor Yaw Asante, Rotary District 9102 Governor and Managing Director of FBNBank, said: “We are delighted to be hosting President Jones in District 9102 and Ghana, specifically. Her visit is an indication of Rotary’s commitment to fighting illiteracy, poverty and underdevelopment, especially in our part of the world.
“We believe that it is also an opportunity for her to see at first-hand the level of success that has been attained on the ground, and to engage our partners to continue to work with us on our key initiatives.
“For over 60 years, Rotary has been working on the ground in Ghana, helping bring improvement in the lives of people in our communities; and a visit by the Rotary President provides the right platform for more traction in future so we can look forward with hope, and continue to imagine as enjoined by the Rotary call-to-action.”
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. For well over a century, Rotary has bridged cultures and linked people across the world’s continents to deliver improvement in communities. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.
Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a better world.
Today, Rotarians lend their time, expertise and resources to do good in communities, focusing on peace and conflict prevention and resolution; disease prevention and treatment; water and sanitation; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; economic and community development; and the environment.
