NaPM April 18, 2017

[kolemath]

Esther Afua Ocloo (1919 – 2002)

A Ghanaian entrepreneur,
pioneer of micro-lending, making small loans,
mother of business,
founder of Women's World Banking,

born in the Volta Region,
to a Ewe blacksmith and potter,
traveled weekly from home to the school,
taking food supplies each week,
which she cooked for herself to avoid expenses,
won a scholarship to Achimota School,
obtained the Cambridge School Certificate,

started a food processing business in the Gold Coast,
built a business of marmalade and orange juice
sponsored by Achimota College to study in England,
earned a cooking diploma from the Good Housekeeping Institute in London,
the first African,
returned to Ghana,

overcame prejudice against locally produced goods,
formed the first "Made-in-Ghana" goods exhibition,
elected as the first President of the Federation of Ghana Industries,
promoted credit to women, with small micro-loans,
found an economy for mothers and children,

died in Accra, Ghana of pneumonia
received a state funeral in Accra,
and was buried at her hometown, Peki Dzake,

honored by Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana,
honored by all women association of Ghana,
honored by International Federation of Business and Professional Women,
honored by Junior Achievement,
honored at First Global Women Investment Exhibition,
honored by Peki Union,
honored by Women World Banking Ghana,
honored by Women World Banking International in Beijing,
honored by Beijing Women of Rochester,
honored with a Google Doodle,
honored on the Pen.