Entrepreneurs urged to be more competitive

Published in the Daily Graphic on 19 Nov,2009, pg 46

Story: Matilda Attram
Micro entrepreneurs and co-operatives have been urged to rededicate their activities to enable them to compete in the modern competitive market.
This will also help boost the nation's economy, as well as the welfare of Ghanaians.
The Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwao, in a speech read on his behalf, made this statement at the 87th International Co-operative and 15th United Nation Co-operative Day celebration in Accra on the theme, “Driving Global Recovery Through Co-operative Enterprise”.
He said the difficulties encountered by micro entrepreneurs were caused by the over-partnerlisation of co-operative societies not being compatible with efforts made to develop their enterprises and, therefore, needed effective supervision.
He assured the organisation of government’s support in its activities to improve on the economic sector of the country's development.
"I am aware that the co-operative movement is earnestly seeking the passage of the Draft Co-operative Bill into law. I want to assure the movement of the support of both our government and my ministry in moving the agenda of co-operative development in the right direction," he said.
In a speech, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Madam Sherry Ayittey, urged members of the co-operative union to reflect on the ideals, principles and doctrines on which the organisation was founded in order to generate ideas and ways to achieve their targeted aim.
She entreated leaders of the association to be accountable in all activities to eradicate misconceptions and suspicions about the misappropriation of the council's funds.
The Secretary General of the Ghana Co-operatives Council, Mr Albert Prempeh, indicated that the association was an independent one established world-wide to focus on people by aggregating the market power while guiding its operations on the basis of the co-operative values and principles.
He said the co-operative movement was the single largest non-governmental organisation affiliated to the United Nations and had in Ghana established 150 outlets throughout the country.
The President of the Ghana Co-operatives Council, Madam Elizabeth Aba Smith, emphasised the vital role co-operatives played in the government's poverty reduction strategy which aimed at reducing poverty and creating wealth.
She said Co-operative Credit Unions and Co-operative Susu Collectors were particularly suited for savings mobilisation and the granting of loans for rapid development in the country, adding, "We, therefore, want to emphasise that we can help in specific areas in the services of Ghana and must, therefore, not be left out in national programmes."
As part of the celebration, the organisation also exhibited items sold by its members and rewarded institutions and individuals who had contributed to its success.