KATHCCU BYE-LAWS

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

INTERPRETATION

In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires “Act” means the Co-operative Societies Act (NLCD 252) of 1968, and Regulations L.I. 604 of 1968 and such amendments as apply from time to time. Where no express mention is made, these bye-laws are meant to be read subject to such Act, Regulations and their Amendments.

Bye-laws: Means the Registered Bye-laws of the Society

Registrar: Means the Registrar of Co-operative Societies

L.I 2225: Means the Co-operative Credit Union Legislative Instrument, 2015

TITLE:

The Name of the Society shall be KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED.

Its area of operation shall be within fifty kilometres radius of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. Its registered address shall be P. O. Box 1934, Kumasi, Ashanti.

OBJECT:

The objects of the Society are to promote the social and economic interests of members through the establishment of a financial service co-operative and more particularly:

To promote thrift among its members by providing a means of savings.
To provide loans to its members for provident or productive purposes at fair but competitive rate of interest
To provide quality financial services to its Members
To promote other services that improves the economic circumstances of members.

PART II GENERAL PROVISIONS

FUNDS OF SOCIETY

The funds of the Society shall be derived from:

Entrance fee
Share Capital
Savings/Deposits
Loans to the society
Interest income
Donations
Miscellaneous Income

OTHER FUNDS

The Society shall maintain such other funds from its net surplus as it may deem necessary.

REGULAR SAVINGS

Members of the Society shall save regularly.
The General Meeting may have the power to decide on the least (smallest) amount to be saved regularly.
Members who cannot fulfill their obligation to save regularly must consult the Board of Directors.

MINIMUM SHARES

Every member must subscribe to a minimum share capital which shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

This amount can only be withdrawn on resignation and after giving a minimum of 90 days’ notice in writing indicating the member’s intention to withdraw.

MAXIMUM SAVINGS

The savings of any one member in the balance column of the individual ledger card shall not exceed 20% of the total savings of the Society or as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

WITHDRAWAL OF SAVINGS

Savings may be withdrawn at the time when the office of the Society is open for Business.
Amounts exceeding the usual cash on hand of the society can only be withdrawn after 7 days’ notice has been given.

RESTRICTION ON WITHDRAWAL

Savings cannot be withdrawn if they are frozen to guarantee a loan. Neither can savings be withdrawn so far as the member is indebted to the Society for any other reason.

DIVIDEND ON SHARES

Members may receive dividend on their shares at the end of the financial year, if so decided by the Annual General Meeting in accordance with paragraph 43 (c) of these bye-laws.

LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

The liability of a member for debts of the Society shall be limited to the member’s share holdings with the Society as determined in Paragraph 7.

FINANCIAL YEAR

The financial year of the Society shall end on 30^th of June each year.

ACCOUNTS AND BOOKS

The accounts of the Society shall be kept in such books and in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Registrar and by the Ghana co-operative Credit Unions Association (CUA) Ltd.

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

A register shall be maintained at the registered office of the Society which shall contain:

The name and address of each member.
The date on which each member was admitted to the society membership.
The date on which a person ceased to be a member.
Age and sex of the member.
Occupation of members.

SEAL OF THE SOCIETY

The Society shall have a seal on which its name and registered number shall be engraved in legible characters with or without any other device, the whole of which shall have been approved by the Registrar. The seal shall be in the custody of the Manager and shall be used only by him/her, in the presence of the President or the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer and at least one elected committee member when directed by a resolution of the committee duly recorded in the minute’s book.

LOANS TO MEMBERS

The Society shall grant loans only to its members
At any given time the total of all loans to members shall not exceed 70% of the total assets of the Society or as determined by the Board of Directors or CUA from time to time.

PURPOSE OF LOANS

Loans shall be granted for any worthwhile purpose, Productive or provident.

APPLICATION FOR LOANS

Application for loans must be in writing and on the prescribed forms.

LOANS TO NEW MEMBERS

For the first six (6) months of membership, members shall receive loans only to the extent of their savings.

LOAN MATURITY

A loan shall not be made by the Credit Union to a member for a period exceeding three (3) years commencing on the date on which the loan is paid to the member.

MAXIMUM LOANS TO INDIVIDUAL

The Board of Directors shall determine the maximum loan to be granted to a member from time to time, however, no individual shall be allowed to borrow more than 20% of the total savings of the society
Loans to members who cease to belong to the common bond shall be made to the extent of their savings except acceptable collateral can be provided.

SECURITY FOR LOANS

Loans shall be secured by the borrower’s own savings and if necessary, the savings of one or more members.
Remaining of a loan shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The Guarantors shall indicate the amount of their savings to be pledged as security for a loan.
Savings of a borrower or a guarantor pledged as security for a loan may be pledged as security for another loan only after such savings have been released as security for the first loan.

SECURITY FOR LOAN (WAGE ASSIGNMENT)

A wage assignment may be used as guarantee to a loan. A wage assignment is a written agreement between the borrower, the employer and Credit Union whereby the employer agrees to reimburse the Credit Union for any amount of the employee’s salary pledged against any unpaid or overdue loan balance.

RELEASE OF SECURITY

When a loan is being repaid, the security pledged by the guarantor(s) is released before the security of the borrower himself.
In case of more than one guarantor for a loan, repayment of the loan releases the security of the guarantors proportionately to the amount so guaranteed.
In case a wage assignment is used as a security, the guarantor(s) savings, if any, are released first, the wage assignment is released next, and finally the borrower’s own savings.

INTEREST ON LOANS

Members shall be charged an interest on loans at market rate. However, the minimum interest rate to be charged shall be determined from time to time by the Credit Union Movement (CUA).

COLLECTION OF LOANS

In case a loan is not repaid according to the terms of the loan bond, the borrower shall be liable to pay the collection expenses
In case a loan is not repaid, according to the terms of the loan bond, the borrower may be liable to pay fines not exceeding 10% per annum on the unpaid balance.

INTEREST REBATE

Members may receive a rebate on interest paid on their loans at the end of the financial year, if so decided by the Annual General Meetings in accordance with paragraph 43.c. of these bye-laws.

POWER TO BORROW

The society shall have the power to borrow money up to 40% of its assets not already pledged outside the Society.

INVESTMENT & DEPOSITORIES

All monies not needed for the day-to-day business of the Society shall be invested in any safe manner as provided for by paragraph 26 of the Act 252 of 1968.
All funds of the Credit Union, except for petty-cash, shall be deposited in such qualified depository as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate, and shall be so deposited not later than the second banking day after their Receipt.
A petty cash fund shall be maintained by the Manager for daily operations.

RESERVE FUND

The Society shall maintain a Reserve Fund which shall serve to protect the Society in case of loss.
In case of loss the General Meeting shall decide on the disposition of the Reserve fund.
The Reserve Fund shall be credited with at least 25% of the Net Surplus at the end of each financial year. This fund shall not be less than the equivalent of 10% of the Total Assets, subject to the approval of the Registrar.
The annual Statutory Reserve allocation of 25% of the Net Surplus shall be deposited with the (CUA Central Finance Facility), within 3 months at the end of each financial year or as may be prescribed by the Registrar in accordance with paragraph 29 of the Act 252.

SIGNATORIES

All cheques, or drafts and other obligation of the Society shall require two signatures. The signatories shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

PUBLICATION OF NAMES

Name of any person(s) empowered to receive or pay out cash on behalf of the Society shall be posted, preferably by a written notice at a conspicuous place in the office of the Society.

PART III MEMBERSHIP

QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open only to persons within the following common bond.

Staff and Spouses of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Other hospitals and clinics as the Board of Directors may decide.
Staff in other Government and Private institutions as the Board of Directors may decide.
Membership is limited to persons of good character.
Membership application should be approved by the Board of Directors.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Application for membership shall be in writing on a prescribed form.
The application shall state the name(s) of the person(s) to whom the shares/savings of the member shall be paid in the event of the member’s death.

ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

An applicant shall be admitted or readmitted to membership by 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Membership shall only be effective when:
The membership application has been approved by the Board of Directors.
The entrance fee has been paid.
The minimum shares as determined in Paragraph 7 is paid.

WITHDRAWAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

A member may withdraw from membership only by giving at least 3 months’ notice in writing.
Such withdrawal cannot become effective until all debts of the member have been settled and he/she has ceased to be a guarantor for any Loan.

EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP

A member may be expelled from the Society by a 2/3 majority vote of the General meeting.
Reasons for expulsion shall be:

Arrears in savings
Misuse of loans

Behaviour detrimental to the interest of the Society

DEATH OF A MEMBER

Upon the death of a member his/her savings/shares shall be paid/transferred to person(s) whom he/she has nominated on his/her application form as in paragraph 35 (b)

40 PAYMENT AFTER TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

If a person has ceased to be a member because of death, withdrawal or expulsion, his/her savings/shares shall be paid/transferred to his/her nominee(s) or heir(s) only after all his/her debts have been deducted and all his/her guarantees for loans have ceased.

PART IV-GENERAL MEETINGS

SUPREME AUTHORITY

The supreme authority of the Society shall be vested in the members who exercise their power through voting at Annual and Special General Meetings.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held every year within 4 months after the close of the financial year.

(b) The members shall be informed of the Annual General Meeting at least two weeks in advance.

BUSINESS AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting shall:

Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any intervening Special General Meeting.
Receive the report of the past year’s work, the statement of accounts for the same period and any auditors’ report.
Decide on the manner of disposal of the net surplus gained in the last financial year; provided that the proper amount has been credited to the statutory reserve and other reserves.
Consider appeals against the expulsion of members.
Elect members of the Board of Directors, Loans Committee and the Supervisory Committee.
Fix allowances or Honoraria, if any, for voluntary work done for the Society by officers or members .
Amend the bye-laws in accordance with paragraph 75 of these bye-laws
Conduct any other business.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

(a) A special General Meeting shall be held when requested by:

(i) a 2/3 majority vote of Board of Directors of

(ii) a unanimous vote of the Supervisory Committee; or

(iii) a written request from at least 20 or one-forth of the members whichever is the lesser.

(iv) a Special General meeting shall be announced to members at least two weeks in advance.

45. BUSINESS AT SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

(a)The business of special General Meeting shall be made known to members at an announcement of the meeting.

(b) A special General Meeting shall consider only the announced business.

VETTING COMMITTEE

(a) A vetting committee comprising representatives of the Department of Co-operatives (DOC) and Ghana Co-operative Credit Unions Association (CUA LTD) shall be appointed to vet all aspiring candidates and present qualified candidates to the electoral committee for election.

(b) An aspiring committee member may be disqualified on one or more of the following grounds:

(i) History of any fraudulent activities;

(ii) Embezzlement;

Loan delinquency\Default
Inactive (not saving regularly)
Involved in any other act that is contrary to the rules and regulations of the Credit Union.
Not met membership requirements.

VOTING AT GENERAL MEETING

(a) Each member shall have one vote.

(b) Voting may be by ballot.

(d) The minimum voting age shall be 18 years.

(e) A person who has been convicted on fraud or dishonesty shall not be eligible for election to any of the Committees of the Union.

QUORUM AT GENERAL MEETING

(a) The quorum at Annual and Special General Meetings shall be forty or one half of the members which ever is the lesser.

(b) In case a quorum has not been reached, the Meeting shall stand adjourned for one week and until such time as the adjourned Meeting is held the affairs of the Society remain unchanged in so far as that is possible and consistent with justice, equality and common Sense.

PART V (BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of 7 members

(b) It shall include the Chairman (President), Vice Chairman (Vice President), Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, other Officers as may be required, and other members, provided that no such person shall be an employee of the Society or a member of Loans or Supervisory Committee.

ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Annual General Meeting
Vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Elected members shall serve four year term of office, and shall be eligible for re-election, provided the member shall not have served for a maximum of two consecutive terms of four years each.
After serving for a total of eight (8) years made up of two terms of four years each, a Board Member shall not be eligible for election until after a break of a term.
Elections shall be organized in such a way that a percentage of members face elections annually.

LOSS OFF OFFICE

If a member of the Board of Directors fails to attend three consecutive Board Meetings, his/her office may be declared vacant by the Board.

SUSPENSION/EXPULSION FROM OFFICE

(a) The Board of Directors shall have the power by a vote of two-thirds of their number present and voting to suspend from office any Board member for misconduct such as dishonesty, fraud, corruption or any other act injurious to the Society.

(b) A Board of Director’s member suspended under 52 (a) above shall only be expelled after the final decision of a General Meeting dully called for that purpose.

MEETING AND QUORUM OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held regularly, at least, once each month and other times when necessary.

(b) The Board of Directors shall invite the members of the Loans Committee and the Supervisory Committee to its meetings where necessary.

(d) Board members shall have one vote. The chairman shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie in voting.

54 DUTIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) The Board of Directors is the executive organ of the Society. Subject to the authority of the General Meeting and these bye-laws, the Board of Directors shall perform or authorize all actions necessary to achieve the aims of the society.

(b) It shall in particular.

(1) Determine the purpose and objectives of the Credit Union.

(2) Draft and propose bye-laws.

(3) Develop and ensure the implementation of operational policies of the Credit Union (Lending, Saving, Investment, Financial, Personnel, etc.)

(4) Develop short, medium and long term business plans for the growth of the Credit Union.

(5) Represent the Society in its dealings and transactions

(6) Engage the services of a Manager for the day-to-day activities of the Credit Union and fix his or her remuneration and Conditions of Service.

(7) Decide on the bond which may be required of employees or officers handling the funds and property of the Society;

(8) Open bank accounts in accordance with the provision of the Act, and decide on the investment of funds;

(9) Appoint at least 3 signatories for cheques, notes, drafts and other obligations of the Society.

(10) Constantly evaluate the performance of the Credit Union

Develop and implement ongoing educational program for the Society;
Authorize borrowing by the Society in accordance with paragraph 29;
Ensure that true and accurate records and Accounts of all transactions of the Society are kept.
Take action against delinquent borrowers and loan defaulters.
Recommend to the Annual General Meeting the dividend rate on shares.
Determine interest to be charged and paid on loans and savings respectively as it is deemed necessary
Prepare and present budgets at the Annual General Meeting for approval by the general members.
Suspend from membership, for valid reasons, and until general membership decision is reached on any member of the Society
Where necessary the Board of Directors may appoint an Internal Auditor to compliment the work of the Supervisory Committee.

(c) The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate an officer or an employee of the society such of its own powers as it may deem necessary.

PART VI – LOANS COMMITTEE

MEMBERS OF LOAN COMMITTEE

(a) The Loans Committee shall consist of at least three members, elected by Annual General Meeting.

(b) The Members of the Loan Committee shall not be members of the Board of Directors

(c) Members shall serve a four year term of office but can be re-elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms after which such member shall have a break of one term and shall afterwards be eligible for election.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM OF LOANS COMMITTEE

(a) The Loans Committee shall meet frequently to conduct its business.

(b) The quorum at meetings of the Loan Committee shall be majority of the members of this Committee.

57 DUTIES OF LOANS COMMITTEE

(a) The Loans Committee shall grant loans only in accordance with these Bye-laws and the rules and policies laid down by the Board of Directors.

(b) It shall decide on loans only at proper meetings and if the required quorum is present.

Consider all loans application.

The Management may be authorized to approve loans completely secured by the borrower’s own savings which are not already pledged as security for another loan. If the Loans committee so wishes.

Ensure that loans are properly secured.
Determine reasonable conditions of repayment;
Follow up delinquent loans;
Make recommendations to the Board of Directors for action to be taken against delinquent borrowers.

LOANS TO MEMBERS OF OTHER COMMITTEES

(a) Loans to members of the loans and Supervisory Committees shall be granted only with the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

(b) Such approval shall appear in the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and on the loans bond.

PART VII – SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

MEMBERS OF SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

(a) The Supervisory Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members elected by the Annual General Meeting.

(b) The members of the Supervisory Committee shall not be members of the Board of Directors or the Loan Committee, signatories, or persons handling cash or accounts on behalf of the Society;

60 DUTIES OF SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

Supervisory Committee shall have the following duties

To check whether the Board of Directors has fulfilled its functions properly.
To check whether the Loans Committee has followed the prescribed procedure in granting loans particularly with regard to security.
To see that the Treasurer or another authorized person prepares a monthly financial statement.
Ensure that the Treasurer/Manager or another authorized person prepares a Statement of Financial Position and a comprehensive Income and Expenditure statement at the end of each financial year and sends them to the Registrar and the National Credit Union Association (CUA) Headquarters.
See that a complete audit of the books of account is made at least once a year.
Check each member’s passbook against his personal ledger card at least once a year.
Check the cash on hand, bank accounts and Investment securities at least once a year.
Make a report to the Annual General Meeting.
Meet monthly to check and sign the financial Report.
Ensure that monthly statistical and financial reports are submitted to the appropriate authorities.

OTHER COMMITTEES

The Board of Directors shall establish an Education Committee and such other Committees as it may deem necessary.

PART VII – OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY OFFICES

The Officers of the Society shall be a Chairman (President), a vice-Chairman (Vice President) a Secretary, a Treasurer, An Assistant Treasurer and such other officers as the Society may require.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

(a) The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among its own members

(b) Officers need not be present to be elected.

TERM OF OFFICE

Officers shall hold office as per “paragraph (50) (c) and (d)”

CHAIRMAN

The chairman shall preside at all General Meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors.

VICE –CHAIRMAN

The Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in the absence of that officer.

SECRETARY

(a) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all General Meetings and all meetings of the

Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are regularly performed by a Secretary.

(b) The secretary may delegate part of his duties to a qualified person with permission of the Board of Directors.

TREASURER

(a) The Treasurer shall ensure that full and complete record of all financial affairs and monies of the Society are kept.

(b) He/She shall ensure that a monthly financial statement is prepared and posted in a conspicuous place at the office of the Society. He/She shall also ensure that a Statement of Financial Position and a comprehensive Income and Expenditure statement are prepared at the end of each financial year.

(d) The Treasurer may delegate part of his/her duties to the Assistant Treasurer or to another qualified person with the approval of the Board of Directors.

ASSISTANT TREASURER

The Assistant Treasurer, shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of his duties

THE MANAGER

The Board of Directors shall appoint a manager who will be in charge of the day to day administration of the credit union and shall fix his/her remuneration for his/her services.

The services of the Manager may be terminated or suspended in line with the staff condition of service.

DUTIES OF THE MANAGER

(a) To act as a secretary at General Meetings, Board Meetings, Executive Meetings and at any meetings as far as his/her services are required.

(b) To conduct the correspondence on behalf of the Credit Union.

(c) To appoint other staff with the approval of the Board of Directors and to dismiss an employee and report such action to the Board of Directors.

(d) To supervise and co-ordinate the activities of the staff of the Credit Union.

(e) To act on behalf of the treasurer of the Credit Union and as far as delegated to receive and pay out money and keep cash on hand, deposit and withdraw money from banks or other financial institutions as well as investing surplus funds.

(f) To sign cheques, note and other obligations of the Credit Union as may be recommended by the Board of Directors

(g) To keep accurate accounts and records and have charge of the documents, payment vouchers and receipt of the Credit Union as may be recommended by the Board of Directors

(h) To carry out such duties that may be lawfully assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors.

(i) To advise the Board of Directors on financial and other matters

(j) Prepare a monthly financial statement ie. Income and Expense statement and a Statement of Financial Position in a timely and efficient manner for the attention of the Board of Directors.

PART IX – AUDIT

ACCOUNTS

The accounts of the Credit Union shall be inspected and audited within three months after the end of each financial year in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act.

PART X – VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION

VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION

The Credit Union may be dissolved by the consent of ¾ of its members, testified by their signatures identified by membership numbers/Accounts Numbers.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

By a special resolution, the Credit Union may amalgamate with or transfer its engagements to another Credit Union.

AMENDMENT OF BYE-LAWS

(a) These bye-laws may be amended by a ¾ majority vote of members present at a General Meetings, provided that one-half or not fewer than 40, whichever figure is lesser, of the members of the society are present.

(b) No amendment of the bye-laws can be made unless the proposed amendment was specified in the notice calling members to meeting.

(c) An amendment duly passed at a General Meeting can only become effective when it is registered according to paragraph 9 of the ACT.

PART – XI

RECORDS

The Credit Union shall maintain permanently the following records

Register of members
Registered copy of Rules and Amendments thereto
Supplementary bye-law
Minutes of General Meetings, Annual and Special, and of all other committees.
Members’ shares/saving and loan register and general ledger.
Applications for membership and loans.
Any other accounting books or records prescribed by the National Association.

AFFILIATION

The Society shall have the power to affiliate with any Regional or National Association established with the object of facilitating the operations of Savings and Credit Societies in accordance with Co-operative Principles.

DISPUTES

All disputes within the Society which cannot be settled by the Board of Directors or a General Meetings shall be referred to the Registrar in accordance with paragraph 45 of the Act.

LIQUIDATION

The Society shall be liquidated only by order of the Registrar in accordance with the Act Paragraph 54-63.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that the foregoing revised Bye-Laws Number 1-79 have been registered by me in replacement of the original Bye-Laws of the:

KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED

REGISTERED AS NUMBER AR/NC/498 ON THE 7^TH DAY OF MARCH 2008

HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY ME.

DATED AT ACCRA THIS………………………DAY …………………………..20…………..

REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, GHANA

KATH-CCU

+233 (0) 322049173

+233 (0) 322049173