Digital money transfer service WorldRemit and UK Charity Ghana Union has announced a strategic partnership that will support the Ghanaian community in the UK throughout 2017 via a wide variety of events and community activities, celebrating Ghanaian culture within the United Kingdom and abroad.

As part of the partnership, WorldRemit will be the lead sponsor of the Ghana@60 celebrations in the UK, celebrate Ghana Union at the “Ghana in the Park” event in the UK and also support young Ghanaian women via the Miss Ghana UK Foundation.

A statement from WorldRemit said the partnership with the Ghana Union to support Ghanaians in the UK, forms part of its “Money In Safe Hands” campaign.

World Bank estimates that Ghana received over $5billion in remittances in 2015, almost double the amount in 2014, and that indicates the significant role remittances play in Ghana’s economy.

WorldRemit plays a major role in these significant transfers to Ghana via its WorldRemit App or website, where customers send more than 580,000 transfers every month to over 125 destinations, including Ghana.

Head of Brand Marketing at WorldRemit, Martin Best was quoted as saying “Ghanaians make over 45,000 transactions every month, sending remittances to support their friends and family back home.”

He said each one of those transactions is a promise made, and a promise redeemed, adding that “We are here to make sure these promises are kept by offering a safer, fast and cheaper way to support loved ones abroad through bank deposits, cash picks up and Mobile Money”.

Known as the ‘WhatsApp of Money’, WorldRemit is reputed for making sending a remittance as easy as sending an instant message.

Ghana Union was founded in 1978 and is currently one of the oldest charities in the UK supporting the Ghanaian community. With over 100 affiliated organisations, it has been working hard to ensure its members stay informed, connected and in solitary.

Chairman of the Ghana Union UK, Emmanuel Kwesi Quayson said: “We are delighted to enter this partnership with WorldRemit as our official money transfer partner in what is a continuation of their support and engagement with the Ghanaian community. We rely on their expertise to give people the power to share money anytime, anywhere”.