By Benjamin Mensah
Accra, May 12, GNA-Rotary International President Elect Mário César Martins de Camargo has challenged Rotarians to explore ways to increase the membership of the organisation and expand its impact.
Singling out Africa as a continent with a vast population, and a fruitful destination for Rotary activities, Mr. de Camargo said: “My number one question is: what must we do in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, or Mozambique to increase our numbers and expand our impact?”
Mr. de Camargo had earlier expressed concerns of Rotary’s challenge with member retention.
According to the lawyer cum business executive, who takes over the presidency from July 1, 2025, with a one-year period, “Rotary loses 150,000 members every single year.”
He said: “We have to stop this… What is within our control is the club environment. If your club is not welcoming, if your club is not attractive, if your club is not decisive in your life, you’re going to leave.”
The President-Elect, at a media briefing in Accra, during a just ended visit to Ghana noted that, “Africa is an emerging continent with growing infrastructure, education, and a rising middle class—this is where Rotary thrives.”
He called for stronger collaboration among Rotary, governments, and institutions in healthcare, education and peacebuilding.
The President-Elect’s visit to Ghana was part of a tour to engage African Rotarians ahead of his 2025-2026 term.
He spoke on the theme “Unite the World,” and shared his vision that divisions could be overcome through service.
“We focus on what unites us, not our differences,” he said, adding, “Rotary has no borders—only a mission to improve lives.”
He called for unity by embracing growth, service and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
Mr. de Camargo’s visit marked a significant moment for Rotary International and Ghanaian Rotary leadership as President-Elect Mario—who officially assumes office on July 1, 2025—strengthens Rotary’s strategic humanitarian footprint across Africa and deepens partnerships with national leadership and local communities.
His current tour includes stops in Côte d’Ivoire, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and Ethiopia.
As part of the visit, the Rotary District of Ghana, District 9104, presented a brand-new saloon car to Mr. Kafui Kofi Karnu,who won a raffle draw in support of a fundraising for some development initiatives of the district.
During the visit of Mr. de Camargo, he attended the launch and addressed the Rotary Zone 22 (Africa) 2025 Regional Team Learning Season, which brought Rotary leaders from across the continent to prepare for the new Rotary year.
He also paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty Ga Mantse Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who also serves as the President of the Ga Traditional Council, and planted a tree, to highlight Rotary’s involvement in afforestation, environmental conservation protection activities.
Mr. de Camargo also joined the leadership of District 9104 and the Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central to commission an ultra-modern clinic, constructed at US$ 200,000 at Berekuso, near Aburi, in the Eastern Region.
Rotary International, founded in February 1905 in Chicago, Illinois in the United States of America, is a global network of almost two million volunteers friends, neighborurs and leaders with a mission to “provide service to others, promote integrity, integrity and advance a world of understanding, goodwill and peace through a fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.
The organisation is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, United States.
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