Registered akpeteshie societies earned 228.6 million cedis

Techiman (B/A) Jan. 8, GNA - Eight registered akpeteshie distillers and retailers societies in Techiman area earned a total income of 228.6 million cedis last year.

Out of the amount, 215.9 million cedis had been spent hence the group recorded a net surplus of 12.7 million cedis as against 15.2 million cedis in the previous year.

Mr James Okyere, Municipal Co-operative Officer, said these while addressing accounts officers and executives of the societies at a meeting in Techiman at the weekend.

The meeting was aimed at reviewing the performances of the societies and how to ensure compliance with principles of co-operative entities to enable the group to become viable.

Mr Okyere said Co-operatives of the Techiman Municipal Assembly reviewed the activities of industrial co-operatives sector of the akpeteshie distillers and retailers societies for the 2003 fiscal year. He said eight out of the 10 registered societies were reviewed, with the exception of the Tanoso and Offuman societies.

Mr Okyere noted that the distillers' set-up experienced gradual diminishing of interest of members due to outmoded style of administration and called for an amendment of their working procedure to suit the present economic situation in the country.

He said with the establishment of co-operatives in the area, more than 92 youth were employed in 2003 whilst 7,497 people had been registered with the various co-operative institutions in the Techiman area.

Mr Okyere said though the office of the Co-operatives faced difficulties in budgetary allocation, coupled with insufficient staffing, arrangements were been made with the Assembly to assist in the promotion of the co-operative concept.

The Municipal Co-operative Officer added that an action plan for the development of a vibrant business-oriented co-operative sector that could contribute significantly to national economic growth and development had been drawn.

Nana Kwadwo Amoah, Chairman of the Akpeteshie Distillers Society of the area, advised the accounts officers to improve their performances to facilitate the work of the group.