Salutation and Introduction

Our esteemed Area Leader, Past Council Chair Gbolagade Adebisi, the Governor-Elect and DG Team, my Cabinet, Traditional Leaders and Lion Queen Mothers, distinguished guests, Lions, Leo-Lions and Leos – Good afternoon.

Reflecting on the past Lions Service Year, I state with gratitude: this was not a mere activity but an extraordinary momentum. We elevated visibility and turned compassion into measurable action. Twelve months ago, we pledged to restore club vitality, extend to underserved communities, and offer hope. Today, I present a record that honours our traditions and redefines our potential – the chronicle of a district that chose to rise.

Membership

Strength is measured by active roster. We began with 1,407 Lions. We welcomed 167 new members but lost 135 unavoidably. Net gain: +32, bringing active strength to 1,439 – a hard earned gain. Yet growth does not pause. At this convention, we will induct 16 prospective Lions. They have completed orientation and stand ready. We are building deliberately, inducting with purpose, ensuring every new Lion joins an active, accountable, ambitious district.

Leadership

Leadership is cultivated through training and mentorship. We trained all incoming club officers and Zone Chairpersons in governance, service planning, finance, and engagement. Two members attended FDI. We organised RLLI (March 2025) for 24 members, and 45 Lions/Leos attended ELLI (November 2025). These exposures strengthen our local curricula. We also trained 22 Guiding Lions to mentor clubs, stabilise transitions, and improve retention. Our leadership culture is now strategic – preparing successors before they are needed.

Service

Reporting: We aimed to preserve our 100% service reporting record. By the end of May, 96% of clubs have reported on the Lion Portal – a strong testament to your
commitment. We will support the remaining clubs to finish at full strength. Overall impact: 1,140 service activities, 897,541 beneficiaries, 86,824 volunteer hours – compassion in action.

Weeks of Service: We participated in all three: Mental Health (Oct 4–12, 2025), Hunger (Jan 3–11, 2026), Environment (Apr 18–26, 2026). For mental health, we held a talk with Accra Psychiatric Hospital to reduce stigma.

Ghana–Nigeria Twinning & Vision: During Hunger Week, we joined the cross-border twinning activity. Hohoe Unique Lions Club (District 418) emerged top. For vision, we held a two-day screening at 37 Lorry Terminal, Accra, with prior sensitisation – providing referrals for safer roads.

Youth & Cancer Awareness: In August, a career guidance session at GIMPA for youth and Leos. We also participated in public awareness walks (including ABSA Black Star Marathon) for childhood and breast cancer.

Reflection: When Lions and Leos unite, impact multiplies. Every activity, hour, and life touched proves service is who we are. We will finish strongly – supporting every club in serving, reporting, and being recognised.

Extension: A living district expands. We are nurturing five prospective clubs:

Prospective Club	Prospective Members	Paid Up Members	Development Stage
Koforidua Lions Club	30	4	Advanced – Charter pending
Accra Lions Club (New)	18	2	Advanced – Charter pending
Tema Community 25 Lions Club	14	2	Mid stage – Incubation
Tamale Lions Club	11	0	Early stage – Incubation
Tarkwa Lions Club	11	0	Early stage – Incubation

What this tells us: 82 prospective members engaged, 8 paid up committed. Koforidua and Accra are closest to chartering. Tema Community 25 has a solid base. Tamale and Tarkwa have enthusiastic teams.

Hopeful promise: Extension is deliberate cultivation. Each club has been visited, mentored, and resourced. Before the next Lionistic year, all five will be roaring –
serving new districts, traditional areas, youth, and professionals. We are only beginning to plant; with your support, these seeds will become forests.

Marketing

The 2025–2026 year was defined by visibility, innovation, and engagement. Our Marketing Team amplified Lions’ image across Ghana. Digital growth & visibility: Facebook 2,077, Instagram 815, X 878, TikTok 92, LinkedIn introduced. Consistent posting attracted 8 prospective members. Physical visibility: three billboards (Accra: Environment, Mental Health; Tema: Vision; Takoradi: Hunger); diabetes and childhood cancer bus stops in Kumasi. Two more bus stops and a billboard are due in June 2026 in Ho and Koforidua.

Historic funding & partnerships: For the first time, we secured dedicated funding for visibility – a milestone that funded billboards, bus stops, and media. We signed an MoU with ABSA Marathon organisers. Through Helen Keller 100th anniversary, we received 1,200 eyeglasses from California Marketing Team.

Member engagement & recruitment: Our theme, “Every Lion Counts”, guided us. We held “DG’s Time with Lions” twice, released monthly calendars and messages, and introduced birthday calls – 950 Lions honoured on social media, 898 calls made. New membership forms enabled on-the-spot sign-ups, ensuring every prospective member is welcomed from the first moment.

Appreciation

Every achievement rests on those who serve without seeking the spotlight.

To my Cabinet: You laboured tirelessly, answered every crisis, and never complained. Your fingerprint is on this success.

To every Lion, Leo Lion, and Leo: You left comfort and sleep – not for reward, but because service is your language. You proved that Every Lion Matters. You are the engine of this remarkable year.

To those who joined, stayed, and will be inducted: welcome home. You are not numbers – you are the heartbeat of District 418.

Thank you for trusting me, serving with me, and making this year unforgettable.

Conclusion

Though my gavel rests, our roar never fades. We served. We rose. We remain Lions and Leos!