A study visit of a Young African Leader to Poland
Mr. Samuel Aryeequaye (Ali) is a Ghanaian politician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, climate change advocate, and humanitarian ambassador. He has been visiting the Republic of Poland from April 24th to 27th, 2023, hosted by the Euro-African Foundation, a non-governmental organization registered in Warsaw, Poland, since 2005.
Mr. Samuel is the CEO of Saye Foundation, an advocacy for change. The foundation stands for youth empowerment and educates the masses about climate change. He is also the CEO of BSW LTD, a real estate company, and a toilet paper production company in Ghana, the producers of Baron Tissues. Mr. Samuel is also a political activist. He is the former Greater Accra Regional organizer of the Liberal Party of Ghana, the Parliament candidate of the Liberal Party of Ghana in Agona East in the central region in 2020. He was the Vice President of Young Liberals of Ghana from 2020-2023, and now he is the Deputy General Secretary of the Liberal Party of Ghana.
The first day of the study visit included a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego) in Warsaw, where our guest had the chance to know part of the history of Poland and communicate with the museum staff.
The second activity of that day was a visit to the premises of the Flying Bag Foundation, a Ukrainian NGO active in Warsaw, where a lengthy discussion with the leadership, staff, and beneficiaries of the foundation was conducted. The foundation chairman and staff elaborated about how they manage the emotions of the kids after the war and different programs for children and youth. There was a discussion about how the Euro-African Foundation and Flying Bag Foundation could partner in helping children and kids in Ukraine and Sudan, both countries affected by war. A plan of action to deliver and supply medical assistance to Sudan in order to support the refugees from is under working. The parties have discussed how they can partner to support children with no support in Ghana.
The day finished with a dinner hosted by Mr. Adil Abdel Aati, the chairperson of the board of the Euro-African Foundation.
The next day began with a city tour, later there was a meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Hakizmana, the leader of World Hakizmana Foundation. Mr. Adil Abdel Aati and Mr. Ali Alhilo from EAF joined the meetings. Parties discussed the political and social situation in Rwanda and Africa. The two sides discussed the one-party state politics and the projection of Rwanda in the world and the real situation on the grounds. The two sides agreed to further communication and exchange of information and experience.
Later, a meeting was held with the Sudanese Community in Warsaw. The Sudanese community side was led by Mrs. Sabah Surga, Vice-Chair of the Sudanese Community in Poland. Other members, including Dr. Karamalla, Mr. Abdel Aati, Mr. Alhilo, and Mr. Ali Sirageldin, were present. Mr. Hakizmana also attended the meeting. The parties gave information about the situation of Sudanese and Africans in Poland and discussed the need for unity of African communities in Europe. The sides discussed how more students from Sudan can be enrolled in Ghana and about the situation of the Sudanese community in Ghana. The parties agreed to work together to build a strong bond between Ghana and Sudan.
The third day began with a visit to Warsaw University, where Mr. Samuel was accompanied by Dr. Nagmeldin Karamalla, the Chairperson of the Council of Euro-African Foundation. Mr. Samuel visited the Department of African Languages and Cultures at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Oriental Studies, where he met with Prof. Beata Wójtowicz, the Head of the Chair of African Languages and Cultures; Prof. Hanna Rubinkowska-Anioł, the Head of the Research Centre of Culture and Art of Asia and Africa; and Dr. Nagmeldin Karamalla-Gaiballa, an Assistant Professor at the Research Centre of Culture and Art of Asia and Africa. The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting was to establish scientific contacts between the University of Warsaw and universities in Ghana, focusing on promoting student exchanges between the institutions. Mr. Samuel Aryeequaye’s visit presented a great opportunity for the University of Warsaw to strengthen its relationships with Ghanaian universities and to promote cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries. The leaders in charge of the faculty discussed how the two sides could get more students from Ghana to enroll in the University of Warsaw, and also sought Mr. Samuel’s help for the University of Warsaw to connect with universities in Ghana. The two sides discussed supplying books written by Ghanaians to the School of African Studies. They had a debate about Ghanaian politics and slave history, and how the education system works in Ghana.
The next event was a meeting with the Foundation for Immigrants (formerly Foundation for Somalia). In the meeting with the Chairperson of the Foundation, Mr. Elmi Ebdi, they discussed how to join all Africans together in Poland and Europe at large to form one common goal. Mr. Elmi also gave a presentation of his foundation’s activities for migrants. The parties agreed to plan to build an African Group in Poland, and to continue further communication and cooperation.
The last meeting on this day was with the Nowoczesna (Liberal Party in Poland) Youth Wing representatives led by Ms. Alicja Adamko. Mr. Samuel was accompanied by Mr. Ali Sirageldin and Mr. Ali Elhilo from the Euro-African Foundation. The two sides discussed the experience of the Liberal Party of Ghana and Nowoczesna. They also shared ideas of how they can work together to unite liberal youth and organizations across the world.
The last day was a leisure day, where Mr. Samuel visited the Old Town of Warsaw and other city sights. The day was culminated by a dinner hosted by Dr. Azza Abugisisa, a member of the Council of Euro-African Foundation.