Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The Significance of Co-operatives in Guyana

Jan 18, 2012 Letters

 

 

Dear Sir,
This year is designated International Year for Co-operatives by the United Nations. Guyana is the only Co-operative Republic in the world and like many other countries, has Co-operative societies of various types, in their respective countries e.g Agricultural, Land, Housing, Utility Services, Consumers, Credit Unions, Fishermen’s Co-operatives etc.
However in Guyana, Co-operatives should play a dominant role as part of the trisectoral economy, being the third economic sector which is made up of he Private, Public and the Co-operative sector.
Co-operatives operate in the ten Administrative Regions in Guyana and have contributed successfully to the lives of its members, and to the country as a whole. Co-operative societies in Guyana have assets totaling in excess of three billion dollars.
It is indeed regrettable, that today when this sector is the survival of many of its members, that the Department of Co-operatives in Guyana has only one Regional Co-operative Development Officer in the entire country. This is totally reprehensible and unacceptable.
This situation if allowed to continue will be a total embarrassment to the Co-operators and the country as a whole. Members need to be educated with respect to their duties and responsibilities of their societies. Supervision is vital and plays and integral part.
The need for Co-operative Education is the key to success. What is even more disturbing is the total neglect of the Training Institution for Co-operators. This institution which is the Kuru-Kuru Co-operative College on the Linden Soesdyke Highway which is now in a state of disrepair with the College virtually taken over by the Ministry of Education without any legal documentation and completely neglected without any form of compensation. This Kuru-Kuru Co-operative College must be returned to its former glory.
I trust that this new dispensation which is the present Administration will, look early into this matter and do not allow this year, of International Co-operation to go without ensuring that a Policy Paper for Co-operative Development in Guyana is prepared, adapted, accepted, and ratified by the 10th Parliament in this year 2012.
A stake holders commission should be appointed without delay. The Guyana National Co-operative Union which is the Apex body for all Co-operative societies in Guyana both at the National and International Level, must play a vital role in being the representative Body for all Co-operative Societies in Guyana and that it is allowed to assume its role with its elected members drawn from the ten administrative regions across Guyana.
The Chief Co-operative Development Officer should not be allowed to continue appointing members to the Board. It is therefore necessary that the Regional Unions, be resuscitated in the Regions and be allowed to function, in the best interest for its members which are the registered societies.
I trust that the present Minister with the responsibility for Co-operatives, ensure that Co-operatives begin to take their rightful role in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana by ensuring that the Co-operators begin to take their rightful role in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, by ensuring that the policy paper for co-operative development in Guyana is prepared and discussed by co-operators.and presented for acceptance. The Co-operative Department should ensure that the teachers receive some incentive.
Training for members of these societies must be ongoing. It is essential that Co-operative officers be employed, and must be exposed to some training in Co-operatives and should have some knowledge in Accountancy. Long live the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Long live the Co-operative Movement in Guyana.
Charles Conway
Former Assistant Chief Co-operative Development Officer

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11 Football Tourney commencement

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11...

Nov 17, 2024

Kaieteur Sports- The Petra Organisation’s MVP Sports Girl’s Under-11 Football Tournament kicked off in spectacular fashion yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue,...
Read More
Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series against England

Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series...

Nov 17, 2024

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Nov 17, 2024

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home Series against Bangladesh

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home...

Nov 17, 2024

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next Generation’ Inter-Association Tournament starts today

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next...

Nov 17, 2024

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars settle Barbados 4-1

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars...

Nov 16, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]