The 2024 International Co-Operatives Day has been commemorated in Accra with a call on various groups with different interests to join their respective co-operative bodies and collaborate closely for mutual benefits.

“The only way we can succeed is to come together as we are often told that divided we fall; united we stand,” Dr Bernard B.B. Bingab, the Board Chair, of Ghana Co-Operative Council, said on Friday at a ceremony to mark the Co-Operative Day.

Co-operatives held the key to national economic growth, he said, and urged distillers, particularly, to form cooperatives as the Ghana Co-Operative Council was working to acquire the Ghana Standard Authority Certifications for them to aid the exportation of local gin, also known as ‘akpeteshie’.

Distillers played a key role in the economy, and it was time the Council saw to their growth worldwide, he said.

The 102nd International Co-Operative Day was marked on the theme: “Co-Operatives Build a Better Future for All.”

Dr Bingab urged the government to embrace cooperative credit unions and support their growth as they complemented government’s efforts in economic empowerment to ensure better standards of living for members.

Dr Owusu Nyarko, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Credit Union Association, said the theme resonated with the operations and goals of co-operatives, which had a tremendous effect on the lives of members.

He urged members to get together and make the co-operative movement a better model that withstood the test of time.

Mr Kwabena Apraku Yeboah, the Acting Registrar, Department of Co-Operatives, in a speech read on his behalf, urged members to leverage on deepening awareness to strengthening the Union.

He cited climate change, youth unemployment, and gender inequalities as some of the issues that needed the commitment and collective action of all.

Mr Frank Agyekum, the Acting Secretary General, Ghana Co-Opetative Council, called for solutions that would partner the Government in solving the myriad of problems confronting the country.

As part of activities marking the Day, the 2025 United Nations International Year of Co-Operatives was launched on the theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”

It will showcase the enduring global impact of co-operatives in promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.

It also emphasises the Co-Operative Model as a solution to global challenges and a way to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The UN declares international days on diverse/major issues to draw attention to and encourage action on them.

The 2025 celebration aims to raise awareness of the contributions of Co-Operatives to: poverty reduction, employment generation, and social integration.

Its logo is available in six languages, including English, French, and Spanish.

The UN says non-UN entities can apply to use the logo for informational or fundraising activities.

The International Day of Co-Operatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July to increase awareness of their contributions to sustainable development.

Co-operatives are autonomous associations of people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.