Our Team

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

Executive Committee

PRESIDENT: NERMINE KATTAH (EGYPT)       

VICE PRESIDENT: SONI VALECHA (INDIA)        

TREASURER: MUNA ILOGU (UK)

ASST. TREASURER: COMFORT EMDEN (GHANA)     

SECRETARY: VACANT

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: SONAL GANATRA (INDIA)        

PROJECT CHAIR: AKOSUA ASAFU AGYEI (UK)

WELFARE CHAIR: LUCY LAMPTEY (GHANA)     

PROGRAMME CHAIR: JOANNA MENSAH SAM (GHANA)

SOCIAL SECRETARY: HELEN APPAH  (DOMINIQUE)           

NEWSLINER:  CAROLYN YARBOI GRALLA (GHANA)     

PRO: JENNIFER COFIE EDU (GHANA)

Fundraising Committee

This committee is charged with raising sufficient funds to enable the club to carry out its approved projects. Funds are raised by organising events such as bazaars, raffles, silent auctions, theme nights and gala dinners, garden parties, and sponsored walks. We appreciate the generous support given by companies and individual sponsors.

Project Committee

Vetting of all project applications is done by the project committee. Applicants need to demonstrate that the request for funding falls within the guidelines, namely that the project will impact a large number of people, preferably women and children, and will be self-sustaining in the long-term. Once the committee has completed due diligence, the application is presented to the membership for approval by a majority committee then implements the project within the allocated budget and the designated time frame.

Past projects include:

  • renovating and refurbishing the maternity ward at Ridge Hospital,
  • building a vocational training centre at Usher Town Clinic,
  • providing scholarships to needy high school students,
  • building corn-mills, bakeries and potteries to promote income generation and self- sufficiency,
  • funding women’s co-operative farming projects,
  • building public toilets (KVIPs), health, vocational and community centres in rural areas,
  • funding cataract operations for 120 patients,
  • assisting with funds to support the Nicole Diabetic Help Line (link to past and present projects)

Our most recent project has been the purchase, in collaboration with Korle Bu Hospital, of a C-Arm Imaging Machine for the detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Having funded 60% of the purchase price of the machine, GIWC is committed to servicing it for a period of 5 years (USD$7,000 pa), and is undertaking to fund up to 40 patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their treatments.

Welfare Committee

This committee seeks out institutions and organisations which are in urgent need of support to be able to adequately run their programmes. Presentations to various institutions are made to meet short term, urgent needs such as the provision of medical supplies, educational materials, recreational items, foodstuffs and clothing.

Over the past four decades, beneficiaries of our Welfare packages have included

  • Dzorwulu Special School,
  • Nsawam Orthopaedic Training Centre,
  • The School for the Deaf (Akwapim),
  • The School for the Blind (Akropong),
  • Osu Children’s Home,
  • HelpAge Ghana,
  • Autism Awareness Centre,
  • Chance for Children,
  • Berekuso Day Care Centre,
  • Weija Leprosarium,
  • Accra Rehabilitation Centre,
  • Usher Town Vocational Training Centre,
  • Faith Foster Home,
  • Street Girls Aid and many others.

We also respond to support victims of national emergencies, such as the Northern Floods, the 2015 floods and fires in Accra, and the COVID-19 crisis, with clothing, medical supplies, foodstuffs, and other essential items. (Photo of t-rolls, canned foods etc) photo of recent socially distanced presentation to Berekuso families.

Follow-up Committee

All our projects are geared towards self-reliance and development of the beneficiaries. We, therefore stay in touch with our beneficiaries, and track the long-term progress of any projects we have undertaken. Within weeks of any project being commissioned, the Follow Up committee visits the beneficiaries to ensure that the project is meeting their needs, and makes proposals for any observed deficiencies to be met.

Programme Committee

In keeping with the original reason for the club’s formation, we
run a programme of activities and social events to encourage members to get to know one another, and to understand their cultures and traditions. To that end, the Programme Committee arranges for guest speakers at our meetings, field trips, outings, cultural demonstrations, national days, and social evenings. All social events of the club are self-funded by the participating members. The Programme Committee is also responsible for organising an event to observe and celebrate International Women’s Day each year.