“Take financial risk to enhance economic independence”

 Women have been encouraged to take calculated financial risks to enhance their econom­ic independence and ease the finan­cial pressures on their husbands.

Dr George Akumfi Ameyaw, Board Chairman of the Cocoa Research Co-operative Credit Union (CRCCU), emphasised that men often bear the brunt of multiple responsibilities, in­cluding catering for family needs such as housing, education, and health care.

These pressures, he explained, frequently compel men to take loans, which can strain their financial stabil­ity.

Speaking at the CRCCU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Tafo under the theme: ‘Wealth Creation through Co-operative Finance,’ Dr Ameyaw highlighted the importance of shared financial responsibilities within families.

He urged women to step in and sup­port their spouses when they have the capacity to do so.

The AGM provided an opportunity for CRCCU management to account to members on the union’s finances, policies, and resolutions necessary for its growth.

“Women, he observed, are gener­ally more cautious when it comes to borrowing.

Many women fear being labeled as borrowers and were mindful of protecting their financial reputation,” he said.

“While this careful approach mi­nimises risks, it can also slow their personal and financial growth,” he added.

Dr Ameyaw then encouraged women to reconsider their reluctance and see credit as a tool for achieving their goals, expanding businesses, and sup­porting their families.

“With proper planning and a steady income, women can responsibly take on credit to ease the financial load on their husbands. Greater partici­pation by women in credit schemes will foster shared responsibility and mutual growth within households,” he explained.

He further highlighted the role of cooperatives like CRCCU in providing a sustainable pathway to financial stability.

Supervised by the Bank of Ghana and the Cooperative Union Associ­ation, he said the CRCCU offered transparent and secure financial ser­vices and added that members were encouraged to save regularly, build wealth through dividends, and access loans to fund critical projects.

“By leveraging cooperative funds, both men and women can access fi­nancial resources, ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach to wealth creation,” he indicated.

Dr Ameyaw mentioned that families could achieve stability and progress by embracing financial opportunities responsibly, with women playing a pivotal role in alleviating the financial strains on men.

 From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Tafo