WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY: SALUTING WOMEN WHO SERVE WITH COMPASSION

On World Humanitarian Day, it is important to shine a light on the remarkable women who exemplify compassion, bravery, and strength. One such extraordinary woman is Florence Maame Christiana Hagan, a highly respected lawyer and a dedicated member of Rotary International. Her unwavering commitment and tireless work have been instrumental in transforming the humanitarian landscape. She has not only played a crucial role in assisting in disasters but has also been a driving force in empowering marginalized communities to rise and thrive.

Florence Hagan is a seasoned lawyer with over 29 years of experience, renowned for her exceptional expertise and dedication to her craft. She holds degrees from the University of Ghana and Warwick University, UK, and was called to the Bar in England and Wales (1989) and Ghana (1991). With a strong background in banking, finance, corporate governance, and more, she has worked with various organizations, including small financial institutions, Securities Discount Company Limited, Ghana Leasing Company, and International Commercial Bank. She founded Hagan Law Company, a leading law firm in Ghana, and has authored several publications on Ghanaian law. Florence is also a dedicated community servant, serving on boards, actively participating in Rotary International, and contributing to various philanthropic initiatives. Her impressive career and commitment to service have made her a respected figure in Ghana’s legal and business communities.

Florence’s Insights on World Humanitarian Day

The 19th of August every year is World Humanitarian Day, observed to raise awareness about humanitarian efforts and their significant impact on people in crisis. In honor of this day, I had the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with Florence Maame Christiana Hagan, where she shared her inspiring experiences as a dedicated member of Rotary International and eloquently expressed the importance of World Humanitarian Day.

The Significance of World Humanitarian Day

Florence Maame Christiana Hagan stressed the importance of integrating humanitarian work into our daily lives. She expressed that humanitarian assistance activities should not be confined to a specific day but should instead be an ongoing endeavor. “When it comes to humanitarian efforts, I believe that all of us as individuals should engage in activities that reflect our humanity. We carry a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of others, and while it’s commendable to allocate a specific day for this cause, I firmly believe that it should be a fundamental part of our daily lives and actions.”

Florence’s Journey as a Rotarian

Before Florence became a member of Rotary, she dedicated herself to a wide range of activities. She offered valuable career guidance and worked tirelessly to support educational institutions. Florence strongly believed in the importance of continuous progress and growth in all endeavors, especially in ensuring that schools provided effective nurturing for the younger generation. Her unwavering commitment extended to institutions such as the Ghana International School and Mfantseman, where she played an active role in creating a supportive environment focused on the advancement and well-being of the younger generation.

Discovering Purpose through Rotary

Florence joined Rotary International after being invited to a meeting. She said, “I was day invited to a rotary meeting, at first, I had doubts because I didn’t know what rotary was about so I went, there were some tribulations but I went, and I enjoyed the meeting so I kept on going back.” She was drawn to Rotary’s principles of service and fellowship, which resonated with her values.

Her face was so welcoming while listening to her, she said the invite came through her uncle who was already with Rotary just to come and have a look at what they do or how their meeting is done, and also actually that is what the Rotary does, they invite people who have the spirit wanting to give back, people who have the interested in doing good to their communities. She said Rotarians are from diverse professions, businesses, and professional persons all invited, from all works of all and they have their policy of diversity, equity, and inclusion, so everybody who is interested and appreciates what the tenancy of Rotary are will be invited to join.

Finding Community Through Service

Florence highlighted the opportunities and benefits of being a Rotarian, including access to a global network of professionals and opportunities for personal growth. She said, “Rotary is such a dynamic organization that you are able to have access to these things and through that, you are still able to help people.” She also appreciated the diversity and inclusivity of Rotary, saying, “Rotarians are from diverse professions, businesses, and professional persons all invited, from all works of all and they have their policy of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” so to her becoming a Rotarian meant that she has the opportunity to still give back and do beautiful things in her community and as well as engage in a family with 1.4million Rotarians worldwide. ‘’ consequently when my club has a project I can call on another club in a different country to see if they are interested and can collaborate with the aid of the rotary foundation to be able to implement the project’’. She said there are so many things that you can learn and be of benefit personally in terms of self-development and these are things she said you will not ordinary come across. She said Rotary has humbled her and has encouraged her more,  She said it is always great when you plant a tree with students or a child and then years back when you return there, they still recognize you and it’s humbling because you didn’t do it alone, of course with the help of fellow Rotarians.

Serving with Purpose

Florence shared her experience with a project that commissioned a borehole in a rural community. She emphasized the impact of such projects on communities and the benefits of volunteering. She said, “The joy of the community alone at the just standing pipe, which we take for granted wherever we live because we have access to water.” She also highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving humanitarian goals.

She mentioned that this project took place shortly after she joined Rotary in a town called Twenedurase in the Kwahu area, located in the eastern region of Ghana. She explained that the immediate implication was that the children no longer had to walk long distances to fetch water, which allowed them to go to school early. In addition, the improved water quality resulted in fewer people getting sick, and women were able to engage in more economic activities.

She emphasized that the installation of just one pipe had a significant impact on the lives of many people. Florence also mentioned the broader benefits and opportunities that Rotary can bring, such as scholarships and educational programs. She explained that there are individuals in government who received scholarships from Rotary and attribute their success to the organization’s impact on their lives.

Personal commitment and rotary responsibilities

Florence emphasized the importance of prioritizing time and making commitments to Rotary. She stated, “You just have to prioritize and sometimes you have to work a bit late harder to catch up, you find a way to go about it.” As the District Governor of Rotary International 9104, she ensures that she attends Rotary meetings and engages in Rotary activities.

‘’ I think I have been fortunate that I have always had time or make time to attend the programmes and the projects engaged in rotary’’.

A message and a call to humanitarian work

Florence emphasized the importance of volunteering and humanitarian work. She stated, “We need to keep helping each other because we are not islands.” She encouraged everyone to develop a giving spirit and serve their communities.

She stated that Volunteering and humanitarians need each other, we are humans, and it has laudable effects and is necessary, you should always be looking out for each other. ‘’you as a human need help knowing that you can also help somebody’’. She stated that Rate rating that we don’t leave alone. ‘’if you are drinking water, make sure your neighbor too is also drinking water’’. She said if one can help a child to reach their potentials, our country will live in growth and be better. We should continue to plant trees, that will cause our environment to be protected for the youth coming and to see and feel what is like to hear a bird sing.

Conclusion

Florence Maame Christian Hagan stated that we need each other, we need to look out for each other to make sure that the environment we live in is secure for the future. Let us all-volunteer, if one cannot join any humanitarian organization, one can develop a giving spirit, develop a spirit of service, and in your own way, volunteer and make a difference so that youth will have happy existences and then we can all benefit as a country, as a nation, and as people.

‘’I don’t think the journey has ended we might be at a bus stop and will continue and we hope that as the humanitarian bus moves ahead others will join and then we can have great success’’.