The AKRA Foundation in the media

Helping in Ghana: Unique Challenges and the Work of the Akra Foundation
Ghana is a country located in West Africa, one of many in this region of the continent. Despite its proximity to other countries, there are significant differences between them. Ghana is considered the safest country in the region and is also the second-best growing economy, right after Nigeria. While Nigeria still struggles with problems like crime and gang wars, the situation in Ghana is more stable. Nevertheless, the challenges faced by the inhabitants of Ghana are complex, particularly in the northern part of the country where the Akra Foundation operates.
Challenges in Northern Ghana
The northern part of Ghana, where the Akra Foundation operates, is significantly different from the southern part of the country. While the south, where the capital Accra is located, experiences economic growth thanks to a well-developed business infrastructure and better living conditions, northern Ghana struggles with extreme poverty. The main source of livelihood for the people in the north is agriculture, but climatic changes, lack of access to water, and limited natural resources significantly hamper the quality of life for the local population.
As Paulina Graczyk, co-founder of the Akra Foundation, emphasizes, the everyday problems faced by the inhabitants of northern Ghana include a lack of clean drinking water, food, and basic medical care. Due to the global climate change, the people of northern Ghana experience either heavy rainfall that destroys crops or droughts. The unpredictability of the weather makes stable food production impossible, and prices for basic products like bread are out of reach for most people.
Activities of the Akra Foundation
The Akra Foundation, co-founded by Paulina Graczyk, focuses on supporting children in northern Ghana, especially in terms of education and improving living conditions. The foundation’s first major project was the construction of a well in the village of Ticheli, which provided access to clean drinking water. Before that, the children drank water from a dirty pond, which led to numerous health issues. Another important project was building a kitchen at the school, ensuring that the children received a warm meal every day—often the only nutritious meal of the day.
In 2019, the well’s construction cost 10,000 PLN, and in 2020-2021, the kitchen was built for 14,000 PLN. These relatively small amounts, compared to European standards, have a significant impact on the quality of life of the entire community. Paulina emphasizes that the labor and construction materials in Ghana are considerably cheaper than in Europe, which makes the realization of such projects possible for relatively little money.
Education and Fighting Menstrual Poverty
Another issue addressed by the Akra Foundation is menstrual poverty. The lack of access to hygiene products means that girls in Ghana must use leaves or old rags, leading to numerous health issues. The foundation partnered with a company that produces reusable sanitary pads to provide girls and women with safe and accessible hygiene products.
Paulina Graczyk explains that menstrual education is practically non-existent in northern Ghana. The foundation tries to change this by working with a local nurse who educates young girls and mothers about the menstrual cycle and health. Currently, about 4,000 PLN are needed to provide reusable pads for the menstruating girls at the school, as well as for their mothers.
Remote Adoption and Supporting Education
The Akra Foundation also carries out a remote adoption program, under which the children at the school in Ticheli receive support from donors in Poland. Adoption no longer focuses on a single child but involves supporting the entire school. The monthly cost of feeding one child is about 70 PLN, so school classes in Poland pool their resources to finance the feeding of children in Ghana. The foundation strives to ensure that all children have access to meals, so the collected funds are evenly distributed among all the children at the school.
Future of the Akra Foundation
The activities of the Akra Foundation aim to bring lasting and positive changes in the lives of children and communities in northern Ghana. Thanks to the support of donors, both individuals and companies, the foundation can continue its projects and introduce new initiatives, such as building more wells and kitchens, as well as developing educational and health programs. The Akra Foundation proves that even small contributions can bring about significant changes in the lives of those in need, and cross-border collaboration can be extremely fruitful.
Through its presence in the media, such as Radio Gorzów or Gazeta Lubuska, the Akra Foundation raises awareness about the problems faced by people in Ghana and inspires others to take action. All of us can join the mission of the Akra Foundation and together support children and communities in Ghana to build a better future.