Ghanaians advised to adopt the cooperative concept for national devt

Kumasi, April 20, GNA- Mr Ransford Oduro, Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Cooperatives had observed that the cooperatives system was the success story behind most developed countries. He cited Israel, United Kingdom and Bulgaria, where the concept had contributed to national advancement and the development of their economies.

Mr Oduro, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, on Tuesday, defined the cooperative concept as a self-help voluntary business organisation formed by people with the common need and purpose of achieving their goals.

He said the cooperative concept especially the credit unions had greatly helped to raise capital for members to undertake viable economic ventures to improve their living conditions.

Mr Oduro mentioned some of the most organised cooperative societies in the Region as the Cooperative Weavers Association at Ntonso in the Kwabre District and Ntinanko Oil-Palm Cooperative Processing and Marketing Society in the Amansie East District.

Others are the Rice Growing Cooperative Society at Atia near Boankra in the Ejisu-Juaben District, Saint Peter's Cooperative Credit Union and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Credit Union, in Kumasi. Mr Oduro, however, said lack of transport, capital and logistical support were among the problems facing the societies.

He appealed to central government, the metropolitan and district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and other financial institutions to come to the aid of the societies.