GAIDA members urged to embrace co-operative credit union concept

Akyawkrom (Ash), March 20, GNA - Mr Joe Buadu, Manager of Training, Credit Union Association Ghana (CUA) in Accra, has described the co-operative credit union concept as an important tool in the socio-economic development of the country.

He has therefore, urged business communities and associations to pool resources and raise capital for the establishment of credit unions to help their members have easy access to financial support to expand their ventures.

Mr Buadu gave the advice at the closing of a four-day technical training workshop on the correct use of pesticides jointly organised by the CropLife Africa/Middle East, International Centre of Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) and the Agro-chemical Association of Ghana (AAG) at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu-Juaben District on Friday. The workshop, attended by 60 members of the Ghana Agro-Inputs Dealers Association (GAIDA), was designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to handle pesticides.

He noted that since it was difficult at times to get financial support through banks, it was high time business communities and associations pooled their resources together to raise capital so that they could fall on it in times of financial difficulties.

Mr Buadu, who was speaking on the topic, "The State of Co-operative Credit Unions in Ghana", said the unions are always at the doorsteps of their customers and they often charge minimum interest rate of 19.5 per cent.

He pledged the readiness of the CUA to support associations and business communities to train more personnel to enable them set up their own co-operative credit unions.

Mr Peter Mills, consultant of the CropLife Africa/Middle East, said the workshop was to improve the capacity building of the participants, specifically on responsible use of pesticides.

He appealed to them to impact the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to their colleagues as well as farmers to help ensure higher productivity in the country.

Mr Theodore Ohene Akuffo, National President of GAIDA, extended his gratitude and appreciation to the organisers of the workshop and hoped that it would greatly enhance their work as inputs dealers.