Amb. Emmanuel O. Darko earns global honour for advancing cooperative finance in Africa

Ambassador Emmanuel O. Darko, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CUA) and current Goodwill Ambassador of the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), has been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Service Award by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

The award, presented at the World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, is the highest individual honour within the global credit union sector. Ambassador Darko is the third African to receive the award since its establishment in 1968.

The recognition is based on his decades of work promoting cooperative finance across the African continent. He has supported the establishment and revival of credit union systems in over 20 African countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. His work has focused on strengthening local savings groups and credit unions to help individuals, especially in rural communities, access financial services and improve their livelihoods.

Ambassador Darko started his credit union career in 1978. From 2012 to 2014, he served as General Manager of CUA. Although he retired from active service in 2014, he continued to volunteer his expertise to support credit union systems in Ghana and abroad. In 2015, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by ACCOSCA.

“I never expected global recognition for the work I have done,” he said in an interview following the award ceremony. “But it shows that the effort to promote savings and cooperative finance in Africa has been seen beyond the continent.”

Books and Publications

Ambassador Darko is also the author of four books. His first, How to Get Yourself Out of Poverty, draws from his personal experiences and focuses on planning, saving, and financial discipline. His second book, Have Control Over Your Life, encourages individuals to make independent decisions and avoid being influenced by societal pressures. His third, Nobody Was Born Poor, challenges the belief that poverty is inherited and unchangeable.

His fourth book, The Evolution and Enduring Power of the Credit Union System in Ghana,  documents the history of the credit union movement globally and in Ghana. It traces its beginnings from Europe and North America to Africa and provides a detailed account of the formation and growth of CUA. The book is intended as a legacy document for the cooperative movement.

Impact and Testimonies

Over the years, Ambassador Darko has delivered numerous public talks in churches, schools, and communities. His speaking engagements have changed lives and improved the living conditions of those who pay attention to his words. Many individuals have credited him with influencing their decision to save and invest in their future.
“I have seen how small changes in behaviour can help people get out of poverty. People just need guidance and discipline,” he said.

Challenges in the Sector

Ambassador Darko noted that many African countries are still operating under outdated cooperative laws, some dating back as far as the 1930s. He believes this limits the effectiveness of credit unions and calls for reforms to make them more responsive to current realities.

He also cited limited government support and poor understanding of the credit union model among policymakers as challenges.

“Development should start with what people already know and trust. In many rural communities, credit unions are the only financial institutions people engage with regularly,” he said.

Advice to the Next Generation

To young people and emerging cooperative leaders, Ambassador Darko advised the cultivation of saving habits and financial discipline.

“Everything around us is an expense—phones, transport, food. But if young people learn to save a little regularly, they can build something meaningful over time,” he said.

Ambassador Darko’s work in the cooperative finance sector spans nearly five decades. From promoting credit unions in post-conflict countries to training local communities on financial planning, his contributions have shaped the landscape of cooperative finance in Africa.

With the 2025 Distinguished Service Award, the global credit union movement has formally recognised the impact of his work. His efforts continue to serve as a guide for cooperative leaders across the continent.

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