By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, June 3, GNA – The Union of May Borns (UMABO), a social welfare organisation founded by persons born in the month of May, has attained legal recognition following its incorporation by the Office of the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).
The incorporation, completed on May 5, 2025, marks a major milestone in the Union’s 15-year journey and is expected to strengthen its capacity to undertake larger social interventions and mobilise support for community development projects.
Mr William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Global President of UMABO, announced this during the outdooring of the union’s Certificate of Incorporation at the end of month party in Bolgatanga as part of activities marking the group’s annual celebrations.
He described the legal recognition as a significant achievement that would provide the organisation with the necessary legal backing to expand its operations, establish stronger institutional structures and pursue strategic partnerships.
“Our goal is to unite May-borns, support one another and extend that support to society. With this legal recognition, we believe we can do much more for our communities and for the people we serve.
“The certificate gives us more legal backing and provides the leverage to undertake projects and initiatives that will benefit society. It also gives confidence to institutions, organisations and philanthropists who may wish to support our work,” he said.
Mr Jalulah explained that the Union’s incorporation would enable it to operate formal bank accounts, merchant payment systems and dedicated project accounts, while also positioning it to seek support from corporate bodies and development partners for larger interventions.
He said the union was considering amendments to its constitution to align its governance framework with its new legal status.
Tracing the history of UMABO, Mr Jalulah said the idea was conceived in 2010 while he was hosting the Daybreak Upper East programme on A1 Radio, a local station in Bolgatanga.
According to him, he observed an increasing number of listeners calling the programme daily to send birthday wishes to friends and relatives.
Curious about the phenomenon, he invited persons born in May to send him text messages indicating their birth dates.
The response was overwhelming and led to efforts to connect the individuals and encourage interaction among them.
The first meeting of May-born members was held in 2011 in Bolgatanga, where an interim leadership was constituted to steer the affairs of the group.
Over the years, the group developed a constitution, formalised its structures and expanded its membership while remaining focused on social welfare and community service.
Since its formation, UMABO has undertaken numerous activities, including blood donation exercises, community clean-up campaigns, health walks, friendly football matches and welfare support for members.
However, one of its most consistent interventions has been the annual donation of assorted items to newborn babies in health facilities across the Upper East Region.
As part of this year’s celebrations, members donated toiletries and other essential items to 76 newborn babies at the Upper East Regional Hospital (37), Bongo District Hospital (21) and Talensi District Hospital (18).
Mr Jalulah said the initiative had become a hallmark of the Union’s annual activities because it brought joy to mothers and their families while demonstrating the group’s commitment to giving back to society.
Looking ahead, he said UMABO intended to leverage its legal status to initiate more structured programmes and was considering the establishment of a support fund for members and plans to organise a major fundraising event in the coming year to finance future projects.
He noted that while members’ contributions and support from few individuals and organisations, had sustained the organisation over the years, the incorporation would allow it to engage corporate institutions, philanthropic organisations and development partners more effectively.
Mr Jalulah explained that the Union’s constitution provided opportunities for non-May-born individuals who shared its vision and values to participate in its activities and invited members of the public born in other months to join UMABO as associate members.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Kenneth Odeng Adade
June 03, 2026
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]