Government begins reform of cooperative sector with new policy and legal framework

By Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD II Contributor

Social News Government begins reform of cooperative sector with new policy and legal framework

MON, 15 JUN 2026

Government has begun a comprehensive reform of Ghana’s cooperative sector with plans to develop a new National Policy on Cooperatives and introduce legislation to replace the Cooperative Societies Decree of 1968.

The reform process was announced by the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Mr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, at the inception meeting of the Technical Working Group on National Cooperative Sector Reform in Accra.

Dr. Pelpuo said the exercise marked the start of a structured and time-bound process aimed at shaping the future of cooperative development in the country.

According to the Department of Cooperatives’ 2025 Statistical Report, Ghana has 29,612 registered cooperative societies, with 23,701 currently active. The sector supports more than 2.4 million members, provides direct employment for 26,945 people and has accumulated a capital base of GH¢587.9 million.

The report further showed that 1,964 new cooperatives were registered in 2025, while 131,979 new members joined cooperative societies during the year.

Despite the sector’s growth, the Minister pointed to governance challenges that continue to affect many cooperatives. He noted that only 449 active cooperatives held Annual General Meetings in 2025, representing a compliance rate of 1.9 per cent.

“This is not a routine meeting. It is the beginning of a structured, time-bound and nationally significant process, one that will define the trajectory of cooperative sector development in Ghana for the next generation,” Dr. Pelpuo said.

The Technical Working Group comprises representatives from government institutions, the Ghana Cooperative Council, the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, development partners, financial institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector.

The group has been tasked with preparing a draft national policy and a new legal framework to guide the growth, governance, and sustainability of Ghana’s cooperative sector.

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