The Registrar General of the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), Lwopu Kandakai, has called on the newly inducted Board of Directors of the Harbel Credit Union (HARCU) to demonstrate a high degree of transparency and accountability as the hallmark of their administration.
Those certificated and installed to serve for a three-year term are Emmanuel Kolleh. Chairman; Jonathan Manigbolor, Co-chairman; Victor Bestman, Secretary General; Thomas Nyemah, Treasurer and David Koheneh, member.
Others are James Gogbeh, Manager/Member; Siah Saah, Chaplain; John S. Saah and
Christopher Badio as supervisory members.
Madam Kandakai said credit unions should reward their members who are also shareholders, with higher dividends and donate resources to support community initiatives.
The Registrar General spoke on Saturday August 17 in Harbel, Margibi County during the certification and induction ceremony of a nine-member Board of Directors of HARCU.
In administering the oath of office, Madam Kandakai challenged the Board members to uphold the tenets of credit unions, which among other things are to always strive to serve the members and communities in many ways as possible.
She indicated that credit unions offer flexible loan terms as well as low-cost accounts, and that’s why credit unions have a “human face” (flexibility) vis-à-vis the banks because it’s not all about money.
Madam Kandakai disclosed that in Liberia, the Late Father Ted Hayden and the Late Bishop Boniface Nyema Darlieh established the Liberia Credit Union National Association (LCUNA) in 1966, Maryland County, to bring poor rural dwellers together to create access to funding without collateral of any kind.
Chairperson Kolleh expressed thanks and appreciation to the CDA, the management of Firestone Liberia, the outgoing board and members of HARCU for the confidence and trust they have bestowed on them to serve the union.
He promised to undertake a massive enrollment of members to achieve the 800-membership base within three years and will petition the CDA to conduct a holistic audit to set the benchmark for transparency and accountability, which will give the new board a clear yardstick of assuming responsibility and accountability.
Also speaking was the Managing Director of LCUNA, Yarkpazuo Gbusiwoi who challenged the new leadership to uphold the values of integrity and honesty in the discharge of their duties.
He expressed confidence in their abilities to deliver and called on them to recruit additional members so that training will be provided free of charge.
CDA was also represented by the Deputy Registrar for Administration, Finance and Audit Joseph Toumed, the Head of Programs, Harris Wennie, among others.
