Wa, Oct. 25, GNA- Mrs Aba Smith, Chairman of the board of directors of the Ghana Co-operative Credit Union (CUA) Association on Saturday renewed CUA's appeal to the government to enact a law on credit unions to operate efficiently.

The proposed law when promulgated would enable the credit union movement operate in a more competitive and enabling environment so as to sustain the growth and future viability of the movement, she said. Mrs Aba Smith was speaking at this year's celebration of the International Credit Union Day held at Wa on Saturday.

Although October 16 every year is International Credit Union Day, the CUA decided to observe it today to enable as many workers as possible to take part.

This year's anniversary has the theme ''credit union the heart of our community.

Mrs Smith appealed to the government to consider declaring the International Credit Union Day a public holiday. She disclosed that the union has accumulated deposits of over 150 billion cedis from a total membership of 125,000 of which 35 per cent are women.

The board chairman added that CUA has incorporated the HIV/AIDS awareness creation education programme into its activities in order to educate its members on the dangers of the disease.

Mr Stephen Engman, Special Assistant to the Upper West Regional Minister who also addressed the function appealed to CUA to consider using its structures in the implementation of the national health insurance scheme.

He urged it to do more to broaden the base of its operation to include workers, students and women groups.