Women in Lions Clubs International driving community impact across Ghana

Members of Lions Clubs International say women are playing an increasingly significant role in community service and leadership within the organisation, helping to expand its impact across Ghana.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (10 March) as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, Fransisca Thompson and Sylvia highlighted how women in the club are contributing to social development through service projects and leadership initiatives.

Thompson explained that the global service organisation was founded in 1917 by American businessman Melvin Jones with the aim of helping the less privileged in society.

According to her, the club originally consisted mainly of men, but women gradually became more involved over time and now play key roles in leadership and community initiatives.

“In the beginning, it was largely men who were members, and women participated mainly as spouses supporting their husbands’ activities,” Thompson said.

She added that the role of women within the organisation has expanded significantly over the years, particularly following global efforts to empower women in leadership.

In Ghana, Thompson noted that the first Lions club was established in Accra in the early 1990s, with women initially participating through lioness clubs before eventually gaining full membership status.

She said women now hold various leadership roles within the organisation, including club presidents and project coordinators.

Women’s leadership in service

For her part, Sylvia said women bring unique strengths to service organisations, particularly in areas such as nurturing, attention to detail and community engagement.

“There is a popular saying that if you want a project to succeed, involve women,” she said.

She explained that women often play a crucial role in ensuring that projects are well organised and sustained over time.

According to her, many women also bring leadership experience from managing households and family responsibilities, which translates effectively into community leadership roles.

“When women are properly groomed and given the opportunity, they become strong leaders,” Sylvia said.

Community projects across Ghana

The Lions Club has implemented a wide range of community development initiatives across Ghana.

Thompson said some of the organisation’s key projects focus on health, education and social welfare.

These include support for children living with cancer, donations of prosthetics for breast cancer survivors, and the distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls to help them stay in school.

“We also provide library books, build libraries and construct boreholes to help communities, particularly women who often have to travel long distances to fetch water,” she said.

Sylvia added that the club has also undertaken safety initiatives in riverine communities, including the donation of life jackets to schoolchildren who cross rivers to attend school.

She cited a recent project in Gomoa Central where members donated books under a literacy initiative aimed at improving education outcomes.

According to her, service activities take place regularly across different Lions clubs in Ghana.

“You may not always see it on the news, but the impact is being felt at the community level,” she said.

Encouraging new members

The two members also encouraged more people to join the organisation, noting that membership provides opportunities for leadership development, networking and community service.

Sylvia, who recently relocated to Ghana from Nigeria, said joining a local Lions club helped her quickly build a network after moving to Accra.

She explained that prospective members can connect with Lions clubs through social media or the international organisation’s website, which provides information about clubs in different locations.

According to Thompson, individuals interested in joining must demonstrate what members describe as the “three Ts”: time, talent and treasure.

She said members contribute their time and professional expertise while also paying dues that help support the club’s projects.

“Lions is about serving and making our community a better place,” Thompson said.