Member of Credit Unions urged to borrow for worthwhile purposes

Tamale, April 26, GNA - Mr. Samuel Anyigba, Northern Regional Manager of Credit Union Associations (CUAs) had urged members to borrow for worthwhile purposes and not to go for loans when they had not carefully thought of the purpose of such loans.

Mr. Anyigba made the call on Saturday at the 2006/2007 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the University for Development Studies (UDS) Staff Co-operative Credit Union at Tamale.

"As a source of credit, I advise you to make the most out of the loans that you acquire from your Credit Union. Do not borrow because the money is there and all others are borrowing, so you feel cheated because you have no loan and so you must borrow", he said. He entreated members to always have an objective at any point in time and save regularly towards the attainment of that goal, saying; "never blame your inability to save due to the small size of your monthly income. Savings is a habit which must be acquired irrespective of ones income".

The Northern Regional Manager of CUA, cautioned members not to wait to increase their savings only when their salaries were increased, adding; "it would not happen if you do not cultivate the habit of savings".

Mr. Anyigba urged members of the Credit Union to consider their savings as a fund, which was been built towards their pension and old age.

He cautioned management of the Union to guard against delinquency. "Delinquency can be harmful to Credit Unions as it denies them of vital interest income and makes less money available to lend to deserving members, thereby making them lose confidence in the Union's operations", he said.

Mr. Thomas Azuure, Board Chairman of UDS Staff Co-operative Credit Union observed that the Union's attempt to expand beyond UDS borders would enable micro-credit to be seen as a key strategy in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's)

He commended members for their various supports to the Board Members during their two-terms in office, which was almost ending and entreated them to extend similar support to incoming Board Members. Mr. Azuure expressed the Union's appreciation to the University for their continuous support adding; "we certainly could not have made progress if Management had not continued to make direct payroll deductions".