A pioneering African woman builds up a big business

Press, 13 November 1985, Page 17

A pioneering African woman builds up a big business

Dr Esther Ocloo’s achievements in establishing small businesses have been recognised in Ghana, and abroad. SARAH SANDS reports.

Forty-three years ago a Ghanaian woman with 10 shillings and a strong desire to increase her capital paid six shillings for ingredients, made 12 jars of marmalade and a good profit. Now she owns her own food processing plant, and has branched in to other industries including textiles. Her achievements have been recognised at home and abroad. Dr Esther Ocloo has a heart almost too big for her five foot frame. During the International Business and Professional Women’s conference in Auckland she was always resplendent in the national costumes of Ghana. It is hard to forget her friendly eyes, and her bright, white smile contrasting with her black skin. Looking at her it is difficult to believe that this fragile, elderly woman has been a pioneer for women

both in Ghana, and all of Africa. The Government of Ghana has recognised her work several times, most notedly in 1969 when she was awarded a Grand Medal for meritorious service.

Auckland conference recently, she was elected international vice-president. Dr Ocloo’s background is as varied and interesting as her work. She does not know the exact day or year of her birth because, she explains, “I came from a family of illiterate parents who had not been to school.

Some of her many appointments include being founder and first president of the Federation of Ghana Industries; founder and Eident of the Ghana ufacturers’ Association; director of the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre of Ghana; consultant to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; and a member of both the Task Force for Economic Commission for Africa, and the Advisory Board of the Equity Policy Centre, Washington.

“My father was a blacksmith by profession, and my mother was a farmer and a potter.” All they could tell her about her birthdate was that she was born a year after the end of the war (World War I), about Easter time. The birthdate on her resume is listed as April, 1919.

She is also an active member of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women. At the

“So when my children say ‘Mama, why don’t you have a birthday like everybody else?’ I just tell them to pick any day.”