The Guyana Cooperative Credit Union League (GCCUL) has pledged to up its relevance to the new PPP/C administration under President Donald Ramotar, at a ceremony it held on Thursday to recognise his long-standing service to credit unions.
GCCUL President Denise Benjamin presented a plaque to Ramotar in the presence of Vice-President Maurice Veecock, Co-op Development Officer Kareem Abdul Jabar and directors Earl Welch and Patricia Noel and other affiliates. The presentation was made in honour of the fact that “a Brother Co-operator” is now occupying the highest office in the land, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
“We intend to work under the guidance of the Guyana National Cooperative Union to establish Public/Cooperative partnerships with the state to undertake programmes that seek to effectively utilise the idle excess liquidity within credit unions, in the interest of a better Guyana,” Benjamin said in a statement.
Members thought it fitting to honour Ramotar’s service, in the wake of government’s support of 2012 as the United Nations ‘Year of Cooperatives’ and his consent to be publicly recognised as a long-standing and active co-operator.
“We know that this would significantly contribute to the realisation of the league’s objective to among other things, re-brand credit unions to make them more visible and viable as well as present them as the credible alternative for financial service as we continue to embrace the values and principles that distinguish us from others in the financial sector – that of putting people first,” the GCCUL head said.
It is hoped that the ‘Year’ will present co-ops with the opportunity to highlight their contributions to the principles of poverty reduction, job creation and social integration promotion.
Its other goals include raising public awareness about the contribution of credit unions to socio-economic development, membership involvement and the adoption of policies and legislation to promote long-term growth and stability.
Last year the GCCUL took steps to revitalise the credit union movement in Guyana and continues to encourage them to explore innovative ways to expand their services to respond to a more modern world.
Benjamin also said the cooperative movement is anticipating increased employment in unprecedented economic sub-sectors, referring to oil and gas, eco tourism, hospitality, technology, hydropower and alternative energy.
GCCUL represents 24 affiliates of 29 registered credit unions with over 20,000 members engaged in various forms of cooperative mobilisation and lending activities at work places, communities and within trade union movements, GINA said.
