TAMALE ROTARY CLUB BUILDS PERMANENT SECRETARIAT (PAGE 29)

THE Tamale Rotary Club has cut the sod for work to begin on an office complex which is estimated to cost GH¢250,000.
The project would comprise a conference hall, library, an ICT centre and a restaurant. It is being funded through partner organisations in the US and Europe, and is expected to be completed within two years.
According to the immediate past president of the club, Mr Salifu Adam, the decision to put up a permanent structure was to facilitate easy location, keep records and givie easy access to members. It would also offer social services to the general public.
The club, which was established in Tamale since 1971, has been holding its meetings at different hotels in the metropolis.
Mr Salifu said the club had over the years rendered services to deprived communities in the Northern Region and beyond. It has constructed about 180 hand-dug wells, rehabilitated dams and provided mechanised boreholes and other interventions in deprived communities.
‘‘We have also donated four-wheel vehicles to the School for the Deaf at Savelugu, the Catholic Mobile Medical Service at Yendi and other institutions as well as constructed a library at Nandom in the Upper West Region,’’ he indicated.
Mr Adam entreated members of the club to show more commitment towards the early completion of the office to enhance the work of the club in the area.
In a related development, a new executive for the club has been sworn into office to continue with the good works of their predecessors at a ceremony in Tamale.
The new President is Mr Joseph A. Mumuni. Other members of the executive are Messrs Alex Kpodo and Anas Sulemana, treasurer and secretary respectively. They would manage the affairs of the club for the 2008 and 2009 season.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Mumuni said the club had secured GH¢1.3 million from their partners for the provision of potable water to guinea worm endemic communities in the region.
According to him, the club has also intended to identify and adopt other deprived areas and offer them the necessary support to improve infrastructural development and health care.
‘‘Part of the funds would, therefore, be used in purchasing hospital equipment for the Tamale Hospital, while helping to improve on other health facilities in other communities in the region,’’ he indicated.
The president appealed for a necessary co-operation from his colleagues, and gave a pledge to improve the club’s membership drive.
He announced that a monthly award would be instituted to motivate committed members to do more for the club.