Africa-Press – Ghana. The SARI Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union, has inaugurated an ultra-modern office complex at Nyankpala, near Tamale, to serve as a hub for its operations.
The office complex is also to serve as a hub for financial empowerment, cooperative education, and community development across the Tolon District and beyond.
The inauguration of the office also coincided with the SARI Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union’s 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), marking a major milestone in the Union’s 42-year journey of cooperative growth, financial empowerment, and member-focused service delivery.
The inauguration and the AGM brought together, Management and staff of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), the Credit Union’s Board of Directors, Ghana Co-operative Credit Unions Association (CUA), traditional leaders, public officials, and the Co-operative members.
The AGM featured presentation of financial report, an external auditors’ review, discussions on loan policies, awards, goodwill messages, and a guided tour of the new office complex.
Mr Eleazar Ofosu Krofa, Chairman, Board of Directors, SARI Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union, said “Our new office is not just a structure, it is an investment in our future.”
He said it would improve accessibility, data security, service accuracy, and transaction processing time.
Mr Krofa also presented the 2024 Management Notes, celebrating the Credit Union’s growth despite operational challenges.
He said from 2023 to 2024, the Union’s loans to members increased by 75 per cent, while total assets grew by 75 per cent reaching over GHc7.6 million.
He added that deposits and member shares rose significantly, ICT infrastructure was fully upgraded, and a new USSD code *248*288# was also launched for 24/7 transactions.
He emphasized discipline, teamwork, and strategic planning as the foundations of the Credit Union’s success.
He dedicated the achievements to past executives, deceased members, CSIR–SARI Management, and the founding leaders, whose contributions laid the foundation for the growth.
Mr Ziblim Iddrisu Baba, Manager, SARI Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union, urged members of the Union and other members of the public to take advantage of the institution’s improved services and seamless transactions and do business with them.
He said “Our short code *248*288# is active 24/7, even on holidays. We encourage everyone to come and do business with us.”
Dr Francis Kusi, Director, CSIR-SARI, whose speech was read on his behalf by Dr Joseph Adjebeng-Danquah, Deputy Director of CSIR–SARI, commended the Credit Union for its resilience and strategic evolution over the years.
He said “From humble beginnings at the SARI workshop to this magnificent edifice, SARI Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union has come a long way. This structure stands out along the Tamale–Tolon Road. It positions the Union to attract more customers, open new financial frontiers, and eventually extend its services across northern Ghana.”
He urged Management to introduce innovative financial products, explore new customer base, including tertiary students and second-cycle teachers, and expand membership beyond Nyankpala.
Mr Cyprian Basing, Chief Executive Officer of CUA, described the new office complex as a symbol of SARI Workers’ Credit Union’s commitment to excellence, and applauded the Credit Union’s adherence to national cooperative regulations and encouraged management to leverage the new infrastructure to enhance digital systems, improve risk management, and offer more efficient member services.
Mr Basing announced that CUA would introduce the Net Promoter Score System next year as a customer satisfaction tool for credit unions across the country.
Naa Mohammed Ibrahim, Chief of Nyankpala, expressed joy over the new facility and called on residents to take ownership of the initiative.
The Board of Directors of the Credit Union announced strategic plans extending to December, 2027 including aggressive community outreach, product diversification, digitization and ICT enhancement, solar energy investment, expansion of staffing, acquisition of operational vehicles, development of new partnerships and strengthening cooperative governance.
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