Photo credit: Alex Dolny
“The Age of Reimagination. Art, Business and Philanthropy” – under this theme, the anniversary edition of TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026, organised by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska, brought together in Warsaw discussions on artificial intelligence, the future of the state, responsible business and Africa as one of the key directions of global development.
The historic visit of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th King of the Asante Kingdom, gave the event a uniquely symbolic and strategic dimension. For the first time in history, at the invitation of the organisers, one of Africa’s most influential traditional leaders came to Poland, representing the heritage of one of Ghana’s most important communities.
The event was attended, among others, by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Andrzej Domański, Åsa Regnér of UNESCO, Martin Vohánka, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and ElevenLabs. ChangeMAKERS became a platform for dialogue on a new opening in relations between Poland and Ghana, and on the role of Europe and Africa in a world that requires the courage to reimagine the future.
Photo: Alex Dolny
Photo: Alex Dolny
Poland knows what it means to defend its identity. Poland knows what it means to rise after adversity. Poland understands the value of courage, faith, family, sacrifice and national dignity. Africa knows these values too. Ghana knows them.
Tanzania knows them. Our histories are not identical, but they resonate with one another. Poland has experienced occupation, partition, war and reconstruction. Africa has experienced slavery, colonialism, exploitation and the ongoing struggle for economic justice. Yet neither Poland nor Africa accepted suffering as the final chapter of their story. We survived. We rebuilt. We preserved the memory of who we are. Today, we are called not only to remember, but also to build the future. The world is changing.
– Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, 16th King of the Asante Kingdom of Ghana.
Photo: Alex Dolny
Yesterday, we heard from Omenaa Mensah that democracy is something extremely precious – for Poland, for my homeland Sweden, and for all of us. One of the regions playing a particularly important role in these conversations is Africa.
Just last week, ambassadors representing UNESCO’s African Member States jointly organised Africa Week at UNESCO, bringing together politicians, academics, artists, chefs, dancers and many other participants to discuss contemporary Africa – its challenges, opportunities, young generation and organisations supporting women.UNESCO works in many African countries, supporting various areas of its mission.
As part of the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO has mobilised USD 150 million over the past two years for the development of education in Africa.
We are also active in the fields of science and water management – which was the main theme of last week’s Africa Week – promoting access to clean and safe water, as well as in culture, supporting artists and diverse forms of cultural expression across the continent.Unfortunately, girls were much more likely than boys to discontinue their education and less likely to return to it. This is one of the reasons why continued investment in high-quality education accessible to all remains so important.
– Åsa Regnér, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO says.
Photo: Alex Dolny
Photo: Alex Dolny
TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS is a platform for people who understand that contemporary leadership cannot be based solely on business, capital or technology.
It must be rooted in responsibility, education, culture and a readiness to build relationships across borders. I am very pleased that Poland can today renew its connection with Ghana and open a new chapter in this history.
My late father, who came from the Asante lineage, arrived in Poland to study medicine in the 1960s, at a time when Poland and Ghana were building their first diplomatic, educational and cultural bridges.
Between 1956 and 1975, the School of Polish Language for Foreigners at the University of Łódź prepared more than 1,100 people from Africa for studies, who later continued their education at Polish universities.
This is not an abstract history of diplomacy. It is a story of people, education and relationships that are worth reclaiming today. I hope that this year’s visit of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will allow us not only to remember these ties, but to rebuild them in a spirit of cooperation, respect and shared responsibility for the future.
Omenaa Mensah says.
I believe that Poland can play an increasingly important role in building bridges between Europe and Africa – not as an observer, but as an active partner. Today, Polish exports to Africa amount to approximately EUR 2.4 billion, which is just one thirteenth of exports to Germany alone.
This shows the scale of untapped potential. Africa is a market of young societies, technology, fintech and entrepreneurship, and for Polish business it represents a real direction for the future. The historic visit of the King of Asante during TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026 is, for us, a symbol of a new opening: relations based on respect, cooperation, investment and responsible social impact.
Rafał Brzoska, President and Co-Founder of TOP CHARITY says.
