Marathon Pundit: Rep. Roskam meets with a district-based company in Ghana

Here's a familiar story with a pleasant twist. A suburban Chicago Republican travels overseas and meets with a business based in his district. But the country isn't in Europe or Asia--but Africa.

From a Peter Roskam press release:

ACCRA, GHANA – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) traveled to Ghana earlier this week, leading a fact-finding mission focused on trade, energy, and other economic and social issues in Africa. Monday in Accra, Roskam met with Oak Brook, Ill.-based Opportunity International, a leader in providing financial services to people living in extreme poverty in the developing world.

The group met with Teresa Effie Cooke, head of human resources at Opportunity International Savings & Loan, Ghana. Roskam is leading the bipartisan fact-finding mission, including Congressman Bobby Rush (IL-01), which is being privately sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

"Microfinance services help provide steady incomes for families all over Ghana – empowering Ghanaians to create better lives for themselves and their children," said Congressman Peter Roskam. "These small loans assist poor entrepreneurs who are starting or expanding a business. Breaking the cycle of poverty that millions in underdeveloped countries around the world suffer from is incredibly difficult and important. I applaud locally-based Opportunity International for their valuable continued work."

"Opportunity International was pleased to welcome Representative Roskam and other members of Congress to Ghana," said Bill Morgenstern, CEO of Opportunity International in Oak Brook, Ill. "Having the opportunity to meet with congressional leaders from our district in-country is a key step in building greater awareness within the U.S. of how Opportunity is helping individuals achieve financial freedom by gaining access to the financial tools they need to expand their businesses, create jobs and build thriving communities."

Opportunity International provides access to savings, small business loans, insurance and training to over two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in more than 20 countries use these financial services to start or expand a business, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety net for the future. For more information, visit http://www.opportunity.org/.