Esther Afua Ocloo was one of Ghana’s most prominent entrepreneurs known for starting a micro-credit scheme to help new businesses by offering them small loans. Esther, affectionately known as Auntie Ocloo, also co-founded Women’s World Banking alongside Michaela Walsh and Ella Bhatt in 1976. She was one of the organization’s first trustees. Additionally, she has also been an advocate for women’s economic empowerment – a movement dedicated to helping women start their own businesses and become financially empowered.
Her contributions to economic development, especially with regards to women, have earned her respect, recognition, numerous honors and awards.
Esther Afua Ocloo – Biography
Esther Afua Ocloo was a Ghanaian national and businesswoman born on April 18, 1919 in the Volta region of Peki Dzake, British Togoland to parents George and Georgina Nkulenu. His father was a blacksmith while his mother was a farmer and potter.
Due to financial constraints, EstherElle’s parents could not send her to school. However, her grandmother sponsored her to attend the local Presbyterian Primary School in Peki Blengo, a long way from her home.
Esther Afua Ocloo turned out to be an exceptional student who won her a scholarship from the Achimota school and thanks to the generous help of her aunt, she was able to complete her studies and obtain the Cambridge School Certificate.
Also, during her high school days, Esther started a small business selling home-made marmalades and orange juice, which she established using a bank loan in 1940 under the name Nkulenu Industries. . Her professional prowess won her another scholarship and this time she was to go to London to study at the Good Housekeeping Institute before continuing to read a course on food preservation at Bristol University.
Although the renowned entrepreneur lost her life to pneumonia in 2002, many people will remember her name as she indeed led a very fulfilling life touching many lives around her.
Here are 5 interesting facts to know about Esther Ocloo
- 1. Esther Ocloo was the first African to take a course at the Good Housekeeping Institute
This diligent entrepreneur entered the 1940s as the first African to enter the Good Housekeeping Institute in London where she graduated.
- 2. She has dedicated her life to empowering women
Esther Ocloo’s desire to empower women stemmed from the fact that she came from a disadvantaged family and therefore understood the benefits of self-sufficiency and financial independence.
Upon her return from England to Ghana, she shared her knowledge and experiences in the business world by setting up a program to empower women economically, culturally and financially. The program teaches business management, agriculture, crafts and food production.
In addition, as part of her drive to empower women, she has helped establish more than eight non-profit organizations, including the “Hunger and Sustainable Project”.
- 3. She co-founded Women’s World Banking (WWB)
Knowing how challenging and empowering it was for Esther Ocloo, co-founder of Women’s World Banking, a non-profit organization dedicated to disadvantaged and low-income women, co-founded Women’s Bank Banking Credit to start their businesses.
This organization is very active until today and has served millions of micro-entrepreneurs in more than 26 countries around the world. Esther Afua Ocloo served as the nonprofit’s first board chair from 1979 to 1985.
- 4. She was actively involved in religious activities
Sources have revealed that Esther Afua Ocloo was trained from childhood to be a devout Christian. She remained steadfast in her religion and served as a member of Unity Worldwide Ministries.
More so, the entrepreneur was also a founder and dedicated member of church groups such as the Unity group of practical Christians in Ghana and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church where she served on the committee for 13 years. She also helped establish a Bible course for women aimed at building up godly women.
- 5. She has won many honors and awards
There is no doubt that the dedicated and successful businesswoman who has spared no effort to empower other women has received more than a fair share of public recognition and praise. She was awarded the African Leadership Award for the Sustainable End of Hunger project.
Additionally, in 1991, Esther Afua Ocloo was named recognized by the National and International Federation of Business and Professional Women. Four years later, in 1995, she received further recognition from Women’s World Banking in Ghana and Beijing.
The resilient entrepreneur also received Ghana’s Millennium Achievement Award for Women’s Development and Gender Balance in 1999.
It is also interesting to learn that Esther Afua Ocloo was a happily married woman whose spouse was identified as Stephen with whom she had 4 children – a daughter and 3 sons.
