Louisiana credit unions have added a third international partnership to their ranks, as Jefferson Financial Credit Union of Metairie, La., and Ghana's GESRO Co-operative Credit Union signed an agreement of mutual support in late June.
Kusi Boachie, GESRO CEO, traveled to New Orleans during that time, spending a week at the $214 million Jefferson Financial to learn about the credit union's operations and discuss areas of cooperation for the partnership. Boachie took special interest in credit and risk management, as well as marketing and information technology, according to a WOCCU release.
The two credit unions held a partnership planning session with WOCCU to map out activities and determine the partnership's focus. High on the list of preferred achievements was helping GESRO streamline its loan and collections process and create a marketing strategy to increase awareness about its products and services. This assistance will be accomplished through on-site training in Louisiana and Ghana, as well as peer-to-peer communication among the credit unions' staff members.
"I am proud of Louisiana credit unions for becoming engaged outside of our borders and taking a more important part in the international credit union movement," said Anne Cochran, Louisiana Credit Union League president/CEO. "These partnerships give us an opportunity to explore new solutions to old problems that we may have not yet thought of but which others already have put into practice."
Boachie finished his week in New Orleans by participating in the Louisiana/Mississippi Supervisory Committee Conference, attending a workshop on financial statements for cooperatives.
"I have learned so much from Jefferson Financial Credit Union and am convinced that this partnership will result in real growth, efficiency and sustainability for the benefit of our members and the African continent as a whole," Boachie said. "This is not just a partnership but a strategic alliance for mutual benefit."
Boachie will remain in the U.S. to attend The 1 Credit Union Conference, scheduled for July 11-14 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
--handerson@cutimes.com
