UCC Credit Union Holds First Youth And Women’s Finance Dialogue

CAPE COAST, Sept. 30 — The University of Cape Coast (UCC) Co-Operative Credit Union has held its maiden Youth and Women’s Dialogue to equip participants with practical money-management skills and widen leadership pathways in the co-operative finance sector, UCC said on its website on Sept. 29.

Held under the theme “Empowering Women and Youth, Strengthening Co-operatives, Driving Inclusive Growth,” the programme blended a keynote, panel discussions and stakeholder consultations focused on saving, responsible borrowing and entry-level investing.

In her keynote, Stella Tasa Mawunyo, Head of Supervision at the Ghana Co-operative Credit Unions Association, said empowerment is not just about being given opportunities but about taking responsibility. “The youth who have the opportunity to serve today, and those who will receive opportunities tomorrow, must demonstrate through action that young people can deliver growth, innovation and accountability,” she said.

Mawunyo urged credit unions to create youth and women committees to plan initiatives and prepare members for governance roles, and called for mentoring and internships so young people “learn directly from experienced leaders,” adding that such efforts work best when participants “seek training, listen and apply what they learn.” She said financial literacy and entrepreneurship training should underpin those pathways. “You must understand saving, responsible borrowing and investment so you can be financially empowered leaders,” she said, commending UCC’s credit union for convening the dialogue.

Charity Abraham, chairperson of the UCC Co-operative Credit Union, thanked participants and said clear strategies are vital for business success. Financial literacy, she noted, is a blend of mindset, skills and planning that supports national development. She announced new products to accommodate prospective members and urged youth and women in Cape Coast to join.

Panels covered financial literacy, an entrepreneurial mindset, investment opportunities and network-building, giving first-time savers and early-career professionals a forum to test ideas and seek guidance.

Credit unions are member-owned co-operatives that pool savings and extend credit while promoting prudent money habits; campus-based unions can lower barriers for first-time formal saving and borrowing, and open leadership routes for women and youth.