
Kordiabe (E/R), July 29, GNA – The Voluntary Workcamps Association of Ghana (VOLU) has held its 2024 Biennial National Congress (BNC) to announce its constitution, elect new national officers, and review its volunteering activities in the Northern and the Southern zones. Held from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.
The Congress took place at the VOLU Training Centre at Kordiabe in the Shai Osudoku District of the Eastern Region. Over 60 delegates both local and diaspora attended.
Mr. Kwame Owusu-Amoako (known in VOLU circles as Abigidu) became the newly elected National Chairman. Mr. Joseph Badu Yeboah (Poshman) was elected as the National Vice Chairman, while Ms. Mary Magdalene Mwinisin (Lady Mary) emerged as the Financial Secretary.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) Vice Convener, Mr. Philip Kitsi (Opinion) was asked to serve, in the interim, as the Executive Board Secretary while Nana Yaw Boateng Sarpong (Tom Fears) was appointed to serve, in the interim, as the Head of Programmes.
The rest of the Executive Board are yet to be appointed after the Congress to the National Executive Board. The other Board members to be appointed are two Nominated members from the Diaspora, two Nominated members from Ghana (Northern and Southern zones), Representative from the National Youth Authority and a Representative from a Financial Institution.
Mr. Kwame Owusu-Amoako, on behalf of the newly elected officers, expressed gratitude to the entire VOLU membership, both local and diaspora for electing them to serve on the National Eexecutive Board. He affirmed that the Association would venture into small-scale animal farming to generate revenue for the Association’s operations. To this end, he said he had donated GH₵ 6,000.00 as seed money for the project and asked other VOLU members to contribute towards the project.
Mr. Owusu-Amoako said that VOLU would partner with the Government to engage in sanitation activities to rid the country of filth and diseases. He commended the immediate Past Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, and his team, who remained so commited to its values such as transparency, open communication, and collaboration. He also emphasized VOLU’s unique future focus and role as a key actor in national development.
Mr. Philip Kitsi, the outgoing Vice Convener of the Interim Management Committee, said the Association was committed to maintaining strong local chapters and deepening international networks to enhance its volunteer programmes. Mr. Kitsi, also said the new administration should inspire local participation in programmes to advance the Association’s aims. He announced that VOLU’s new constitution had been re-formed to include the active participation of members residing in the diaspora. He said VOLU should continue the rejuvenation of its bylaws particularly allowing young people to play active roles in the functional and dynamic evolution of the Association.
The BNC 2024 ended with a durbar providing the youth with functional roles, strategic goals, capacities, and necessary resources.
The 2024 Congress saw members flocking to sweep the VOLU Training Centre to rid it of weeds and complete renovation of the building. Members also worked to create a succession plan to ensure the Association’s continued existence, embark on intra and inter-regional visits with the establishment of zonal driven structures across the regions.
VOLU would engage with corporate Ghana, and diaspora workcampers, and collaborate with all stakeholders for effective volunteering and national development. Various resolutions proposed by members during the Congress have been printed and presented to the Congress for fine-tuning and implementation.
The Congress was under the theme: “Transforming VOLU through Institutional and Structural Systems for Sustainability.” Mr. Ebenezer Kumi (K.B.), a founding member of Abasua Traditional Area, participated in the Congress for the first time in 19 years. He lauded the tireless efforts of the Association. He heard about field work, teamwork, and good human relations displayed by VOLU members.
Established in 1956 by Gordon Green, with the motto, “Service to Mankind”, VOLU seeks to bring together people regardless of tribe, religion, or sex to instill collective understanding, encourage a culture of peaceful co-existence and give young people the opportunity to use their leisure time in the service of the community.
GNA