Youth participation in Cooperative can transform the Cooperative Movement in Africa
admin….ICA Africa leaders look at what co-operatives mean for the continent.
On 22-24 May 2023, International Cooperative Alliance – Africa hosted its 10th Technical Committee of the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (TCAMCCO). The event took place at Sarova Panafric Hotel – Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the conference is: “Transforming Cooperatives for a Stronger Africa: Building Better Co-operative Identity, Sustaining Cooperation and Reinforcing Institutional Capacity”.
The conference brings together government officials, cooperative leaders, and other stakeholders in the forum to deliberate on how best cooperatives could foster accelerated cooperation amongst themselves at the national, regional, and global levels.
Dr. Sifa in the Concept Note said the conference would lead to a strengthened cooperative identity for a united Africa; enhanced partnerships for sustained cooperation and collaborations in Africa; and reinforced institutional capacity for a prosperous Africa.
Last year, a similar conference was held in Mombasa, Kenya from May 23-27, 2022 under the theme, ‘Accelerating Cooperation Among Cooperatives in the Post Covid-19 Era.’
The event consisted of a series of workshops and paper presentations on various topics around the sixth Cooperative Principle, which is Cooperation Among Cooperatives.
In its 2023-2033 Africa Cooperative Development Strategy themed ‘One Cooperative One Africa’, ICA-Africa sets out the vision and mission for the sector, with recommended objectives and strategies for both the movement and the African States.
The strategy is to be implemented within the three strategic areas namely; the promotion of Cooperative identity, cooperation among cooperatives, and institutional capacity for effective service delivery. The major focus is to promote and strengthen the Cooperative movement in the region and provide demand-driven services and products.
Also attending the conference are Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye (President Ogun State Co-operative Federation Limited), Pastor Samuel Mustapha (Director of Cooperative Services in Ogun State), Elder F B. Ajibode (Vice President Cooperative Federation of Nigeria & President Odua Cooperative Conglomerate Limited), Chief (Dr). Akinola Lateef Ademola FICP, MACArb, FICRPC (Director General of Oyosowapo Group of Cooperatives in Nigeria and Chairman/CEO Delak Devan Cooperative Consult Limited, Lagos) and Badejo Adeyẹmi (OGSCOFED Youth Cooperative Multipurpose Society President) and other 10delegates from Ogun State, Nigeria.
Badejo Adeyemi E. describes himself as “a young cooperator from Ogun State, Nigeria, Africa, with a keen interest in supporting other young people and ensuring that they gain access to decent jobs through cooperative enterprises”.
He believes that while some young people see cooperatives as old-fashioned business models, this perception is changing.
“We need to address existing stereotypes and young people’s perception of cooperatives as old-fashioned businesses by educating them on how cooperative enterprises work,” he said.
“We can also change this perception by involving young people at Unions, State Federations, Regional and National levels and ensuring that both young cooperators and experienced leaders are equally engaged in their cooperatives.”
Discover more about #CoopYouth here https://www.ica.coop/
