GTUCCU Launches Modern Administrative Complex to Enhance Services for Teachers
By Makutu Manneh
The Gambia Teachers’ Union Co-operative Credit Union (GTUCCU) has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art administrative complex, marking a significant milestone in its mission to empower educators and strengthen financial services nationwide.
The new facility, commissioned by President Adama Barrow, underscores GTUCCU’s growth, stability, and long-term commitment to improving the welfare of its members. The complex is expected to enhance operational efficiency, expand service capacity, and provide teachers with better access to financial solutions tailored to their evolving needs.
During the launch, President Barrow praised GTUCCU for combining financial empowerment with community development initiatives. He highlighted the credit union’s ongoing efforts, including the construction of staff quarters for teachers since 2021—a strategic intervention aimed at addressing housing challenges and improving teacher retention.
“GTUCCU serves as a transformative vehicle and a platform where communities are safe together, invest together, and rise together,” President Barrow stated. He encouraged stakeholders to support the credit union’s vision by promoting entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth, particularly initiatives that benefit youth and women.
He emphasized that the credit union fosters a spirit of cooperation and harnesses the power of collective action, expressing hope that the new center will serve as a hub of opportunity, a beacon of hope, and a standard of excellence in collaborative work.
He praised the vision and dedication of GTUCCU’s leadership, staff, and members, highlighting their efforts in transforming lives, strengthening communities, and contributing to the nation’s development agenda.
“Let us continue to build a stronger GTUCCU family, generate more innovative business approaches, and promote a common vision to develop the Gambia, our homeland,” he added.
GTUCCU President Ismaila Ceesay described the new complex as a compelling symbol of strength and unity within the education sector, providing a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration and strategic partnerships.
He highlighted that this achievement embodies the credit union’s guiding principle of “people helping people,” illustrating how collective effort can produce remarkable outcomes that benefit not only members but society as a whole.
Ceesay appealed to the President to address the urgent need to improve the working and living conditions of the nation’s dedicated teachers and education support staff.
“Teachers and educational officers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation, and it is crucial that they are provided with a conducive environment that allows them to flourish professionally,” he stated.
He further urged the government to consider increasing the allocation of the education development budget to initiatives aimed at addressing longstanding challenges within the education sector.
“I urge you to consider increasing the allocation of the education development budget towards initiatives that will address some of the perennial needs of the education sector.”
Ceesay also called on the government to introduce additional benefits for teachers, emphasizing that such support would not only enhance the quality of education but also contribute significantly to the overall advancement of the sector.
Dawda Kujabi, Chief Executive Officer of GTUCCU, emphasized that the new complex reflects the Union’s mission to promote decent living and working conditions by ensuring members have easy access to affordable financial services. He described the facility as a new chapter in GTUCCU’s journey—symbolizing the relationships they have built, the trust they have nurtured, and the positive impact they continue to make.
Kujabi also appealed to the government to allocate land to the Credit Union in all regions of the country, enabling GTUCCU to expand its services by providing affordable housing and land for teachers.
“The Gambia Teachers’ Union Co-operative Credit Union is reported as the biggest credit union in the Gambia and the 10th largest credit Union in Africa with total assets of over D1.4 billion as of 31st December 2024. We are present in all administrative regions in the country, serving over 43,000 members with 140 employed skilled staff,” Kujabi stated.
As the financial backbone for the nation’s educators, GTUCCU provides competitive loan rates, manages teacher salaries, and administers education support funds. With the opening of this new complex, the Union is set to deliver more efficient, personalized, and impactful services to its members.