Susu collectors in the Ashanti Region are spearheading a new drive to refine the operations of the traditional micro-finance industry in Ghana. Major interventions to streamline activities in the sector include the setting up of a reserve account, similar to what pertains in the rural and universal banking sectors. Chairman of Susu companies in the region, Nicolas Osei, believes the traditional micro-finance industry is the answer to efforts at mobilizing funds from the unbanked population. Speaking in an interview with Luv FM, Mr. Osei observed the universal banks are only ‘recycling clients and customers’, whilst 80 percent of the population remains unbanked. He noted the unbanked population will only feel comfortable to bank when there is an intermediary to help them withdraw funds when in need, “because that person with the smell of ‘koobi’, charcoal cannot go to the big bank with the air conditioner and all that. This is what the susu cooperative seeks to achieve by picking the pieces of fund from the grassroots to save with the big banks”. Mr. Osei is optimistic the reserve account, among other structures currently being put in place will instill public confidence in susu schemes whilst ensuring operators remain in business. “The reserve is going to be a certain percentage of liabilities. If the amount I owe the public is may be 10,000 Ghana Cedis, then we’re trying to establish a reserve fund which will not be less than 30 percent of your liabilities. That should be a buffer to prevent any folding up” he stated. According to Mr. Osei, anyone interested in operating a susu business would be compelled to operate under the ambit of the cooperative association, beginning January next year. The Susu Collectors association has been holding its Annual General Meeting in Kumasi. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh