3 months have passed since my arrival to Accra...

Akwaaba! Welcome! It’s been three months already since my arrival to Accra. Time flies… This is my second blog entry and my first in English!

Well, after a winter-welcome break in Washington DC to see family and friends from DC and New-York, I got back to Accra on January 2^nd. Since then, I’ve been first of all working hard on weekdays helping to set our Microfinance Institution (MFI) ready for launch and secondly relaxing hard on weekends, most often getting away from Accra and to the coastal beaches. We’ve all heard of the expression “Work hard, Play hard” but I prefer “Work hard, Relax hard”… ;-)

PREPARING FOR OUR BRANCH OPENING…

Since the end of 2007, I’ve been busy mainly with the testing of our MFI software and with the preparation of our training documentation. The software I have become familiar with and tested is going to be used by a majority of our staff (loan officers, client assistants and cashiers) for our daily microcredit and microsaving operations. Using the software to process the group or individual loans, to open current or saving accounts has enabled me to become versed in capital aspects of the operational and finance work of an MFI.

After the testing part came the training preparation part. Writing up the work instructions and the process flowcharts that will serve to train our future staff taught me about their respective job roles.

ROLE OF THE STAFF…

In short, the loan officers’ role is to find new savings and loans client, assist them in signing up for a loan and maintain a very close relationship with them in order to make sure they repay their loans

While the “loan officer” will spent a majority of his/her time on the field with prospects and clients, the “client assistant” will spent a majority of his/her time at the Branch informing prospects or clients and taking care of middle- and back-office tasks.

Last but not least, the cashiers will receive and deal with clients wishing to deposit or withdraw money from their current or savings accounts.

NEXT STEPS…

We are now awaiting the final license from the Central Bank of Ghana. With that obtained, we will be able to formally recruit, train and open up our MFI to the public!

Speaking of our MFI, the building is pretty much ready. Our Chief Financial Officer has been working hard for months in order for the building to be ready. I think it looks very professional as well as fun… Here are some pictures. We move in next week!!

Front

Loan Officers

Cashiers

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS…

In any case, on the personal and social side, the African Cup of Nations (CAN) taking place in Ghana ended recently! While every Ghanean thought the “Black Stars” would take the Cup, Ghana lost right before the final in the semis. Nevertheless, it was a very exciting time to be in
Ghana as the CAN is probably the most important African sporting event.


There was as expected plenty of football fervor in Accra. All the hotels had doubled their room prices and were nevertheless completely booked... Every car flew at least one Ghanean flag by its window. People went to work draped in Ghanean flags... Seeing people wearing shawls, bracelets, hats and other trinquets to the effigy of Ghana was commonplace. Take a look at my co-worker!

Watching a game at the 40,000 seat Accra stadium was quite colorful and exciting. Here are a couple of pictures I took at the opening game (Ghana vs. Guinee). See you soon !