4. 5. 2025
Ghana – a place where technology turns into real help
After a year, our colleagues returned to Ghana again – to the country where, several years ago, in cooperation with SEDA Africa Group, we launched a project that connects business activities with real help to people in developing areas. This year’s April work trip was not only intense but also packed with exceptional events that move Czech-Ghanaian cooperation another step forward. We were there – from regular maintenance of waterworks technology to a business mission with the participation of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.
Right at the beginning of the trip, we started the regular maintenance of our water treatment plant in Kade, which we launched last year. The work in the sweltering heat was demanding, but all the effort paid off – the equipment works as it should and continues to reliably supply drinking water to hundreds of local residents. And it is this feeling that it makes sense that is the most important to us.
However, we headed to Ghana not only for the regular maintenance of the waterworks technology; at the same time, we were approached by the Confederation of Industry and Transport to join their business mission to West Africa – specifically to Mauritania and Ghana. While the first part of the mission took place in Mauritania, we decided to join its Ghanaian stage, which was personally supported in Accra by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. Within this mission, we had a number of important meetings, the common goal of which was to move the preparation of new water management projects in Ghana one step further. We negotiated with our existing partners and with new potential investors, including representatives of UNICEF and other development funds. Together with SEDA Africa Group, we presented a proposal for the implementation of an extensive project in the north of Ghana, and at the same time, we addressed possibilities for cooperation with the Ghana Water Company and a Ghanaian bank. There was also a thorough market survey in the field of technologies and components for water management infrastructure – so that we know exactly where we can offer what we do best.
Another significant moment of the whole trip was the ceremonial opening of the Czech House in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. Not only were we present, but we also actively participated in the preparation of the event itself. We coordinated the arrival of President Petr Pavel and other important guests. Upon arrival, the president ceremoniously cut the ribbon, and subsequently, we had the honor of personally presenting our technologies, activities in Ghana, and the broader vision of cooperation with local partners to him. The ceremonial opening was accompanied by a press conference for Czech media, which helped to convey the significance of this new platform for business, cultural, and development cooperation between the Czech Republic and Ghana. After the official part, we moved back to the hotel where the business forum was taking place. Here, we had the opportunity to have an informal but very stimulating conversation with President Pavel and the Vice-President of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, Radek Špicar. We spoke openly about our experience from the field – about what is successful, what complications we are dealing with, and where we would appreciate help from the state or institutions.
Two days before departure, we still managed to visit the Greater Regional hospital in Accra, where we are addressing new containerized technology for treating water from their boreholes. Then it was time to rest after a demanding week, so we headed to the coast. Barbecuing, surfing, and a few hours of peace before the journey home gave us new energy for further work.