Historic Visit of the Asante King from Ghana to Poland. Domański, Kosiniak-Kamysz and UNESCO on new partnerships between Europe and Africa

“The Age of Reimagination. Art, Business and Philanthropy” – under this theme, the anniversary edition of TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026, organized by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska, brought together discussions in Warsaw 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 unique symbolic and strategic dimension. For the first time in history, at the invitation of the organizers, one of Africa’s most influential traditional leaders – representing the heritage of one of Ghana’s most important communities – visited Poland. Participants included Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Andrzej Domański, Åsa Regnér from UNESCO, Martin Vohánka, as well as representatives of Goldman Sachs and ElevenLabs. ChangeMAKERS became a platform for discussions on a new chapter in Polish-Ghanaian relations and on the role of Europe and Africa in a world that requires the courage to reimagine the future.

TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026, part of the internationally award-winning TOP CHARITY initiative, once again brought together leaders from business, diplomacy, technology, culture, art, and philanthropy across divisions. This year’s edition, held under the theme “The Age of Reimagination. Art, Business and Philanthropy,” emphasized the need to redefine modern leadership not only through the lens of economic growth, but also through responsibility, education, culture, innovation, and long-term social impact.

The central focus of the event was the historic visit of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Africa as one of the key directions for the future of business, technology, and international partnerships. This year’s ChangeMAKERS presented the continent not as a recipient of future aid, but as a space of real economic opportunity: the world’s youngest demographic market, home to 1.49 billion people, with a median age of 19.7 years, 600 million internet users, and one of the world’s largest free trade areas – the AfCFTA – encompassing 54 countries. Fintech, digital infrastructure, and financial services are developing particularly rapidly, with Sub-Saharan Africa already accounting for 70% of the global mobile money volume – equivalent to USD 832 billion annually. The Asante King’s power speech and the panel discussion “Why Africa? The best time to invest in Africa is NOW!” presented Africa as a strategic space for economic cooperation, innovation, capital, and new directions for Polish business expansion.

This contemporary context also has deep historical roots. As early as the 1960s, Poland and Ghana were building diplomatic, economic, educational, and cultural relations. In 1961, Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, visited Warsaw – just a few years after Ghana gained independence and only months after the landmark year 1960, known as the Year of Africa. At the time, Poland was among the countries developing ties with newly emerging African states, while students from Ghana and other African nations came to Poland to pursue their studies. Today, more than six decades later, TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS is reopening this dialogue in the spirit of reconnecting & revitalizing: renewing relationships, revitalizing cooperation, and building bridges between Europe and Africa.

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 as well. Ghana knows them. Tanzania knows them. Our histories are not identical, but they resonate with one another. Poland experienced occupation, division, war, and reconstruction. Africa experienced slavery, colonialism, exploitation, and the ongoing struggle for economic justice. Yet neither Poland nor Africa accepted suffering as the final chapter of its history. 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,  the 16th King of the Asante Kingdom in Ghana.

The anniversary edition of TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS also featured Åsa Regnér, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, honorary partner of TOP CHARITY, former Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, and one of Europe’s leading experts on women’s rights, education, and social policy; Martin Vohánka, Czech entrepreneur, founder of Eurowag Group and recipient of this year’s Philanthropic Impact Award; Marwan Zakhem, creator of the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra and founder of Gallery 1957; as well as Clare Maguire, an artificial intelligence expert, entrepreneur, and speaker focusing on the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and the creative industries.

Yesterday, we heard Omenaa Mensah speak about how precious democracy is – for Poland, for my home country Sweden, and for all of us. One of the regions playing a particularly important role in these discussions is Africa. Just last week, ambassadors representing African UNESCO member states jointly organized Africa Week at UNESCO, bringing together politicians, scientists, artists, chefs, dancers, and many other participants to discuss contemporary Africa – its challenges, opportunities, young generation, and organizations supporting women. UNESCO operates in many African countries, supporting various areas of its mission. Within the framework of the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO has mobilized USD 150 million over the last two years for educational development in Africa. We also work in science and water management – 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 interrupt their education and far less likely to return to it. This is one of the reasons why continued investment in high-quality education accessible to everyone remains so important

said Åsa Regnér, Deputy Director-General UNESCO.

The program covered the key themes shaping today’s economy and leadership: art in the era of AI, state resilience, the future of investment in Africa, and the role of leaders in times of global uncertainty. A particularly significant moment was the Asantehene’s power speech devoted to leadership beyond politics – rooted in values, responsibility, education, and long-term vision.

TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS is a platform for people who understand that modern leadership cannot rely solely on business, capital, or technology. It must be rooted in responsibility, education, culture, and the willingness to build relationships beyond borders. I am very happy that Poland can today renew its connection with Ghana and open a new chapter in this story. 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 higher education in Poland. This is not an abstract diplomatic story – it is a story about people, education, and relationships worth restoring 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 the spirit of cooperation, respect, and shared responsibility for the future

mówi Omenaa Mensah.

The African thread of TOP CHARITY 2026 had already begun earlier during the second edition of the Malta Biennale, where the OmenaArt Foundation presented the pavilion “Redefining. Polish-Ghanaian Textile Narratives,” which received the title of Best Pavilion during the Golden Falcon Awards ceremony. The project, based on collaboration between artists from Poland and Ghana, revisited the little-known story of historical solidarity between the two countries and transformed it into a vision of future cooperation built on hope, empathy, and mutual understanding. The exhibition was inspired by the philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are” – emphasizing the interdependence of people and communities.

TOP CHARITY was established in 2022 as a response from the business community to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Over the course of four editions, the initiative has raised nearly PLN 150 million, supporting social, educational, cultural, and humanitarian projects in Poland and abroad. Funds raised during previous editions have helped support more than 1,200 children and young people in Polish orphanages, provide education for over 7,000 students, rescue nearly 580 children from slave labor in Ghana, and finance scholarships and development programs for 99 Polish students at leading international universities.

Today, TOP CHARITY is no longer solely a fundraising gala, but a year-round platform for social impact, connecting business, culture, diplomacy, and philanthropy. Its development demonstrates that a Polish initiative can successfully operate within a global ecosystem of partnerships, ranging from cooperation with social organizations and cultural institutions to relationships with international foundations and opinion leaders.

I believe that Poland can play an increasingly important role in building bridges between Europe and Africa – not from the position of an observer, but as an active partner. Today, Polish exports to Africa amount to approximately EUR 2.4 billion, which is only 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 businesses, a real direction for the future. The historic visit of the Asante King during TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026 symbolizes a new opening for us: relationships based on respect, cooperation, investment, and responsible social impact

said Rafał Brzoska, President and co-creator of TOP CHARITY.

The significance of the project is also confirmed by international recognition. TOP CHARITY won four Eventex Awards 2026, including three gold awards, while Poland ranked second globally in the overall country classification, ahead of countries such as the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. This is a signal that Polish projects combining high organizational standards, effective communication, and real social impact can compete with the world’s best initiatives.

TOP CHARITY ChangeMAKERS 2026 demonstrated that the future of philanthropy and business belongs to those capable of connecting seemingly distant worlds: capital and empathy, technology and culture, local responsibility and global ambition. In this sense, the Asantehene’s visit to Poland was not merely a ceremonial event. It was a symbol of a new opening – between Poland and Ghana, Europe and Africa, history and the future.

The event took place in the historic interiors of the Zamoyski Palace, combining international dialogue among leaders with the promotion of Polish national heritage among 350 guests from Poland and abroad.

Social media: @topcharityofficial @omenaafoundation

Websites: https://topcharity.eu/ | https://philantropicconsortium.com/about/

Strategic Partners: UniCredit, IMPACT, Sunreef Yachts, InPost, Visa, NOHO Investment, Mercedes-Benz, Pracodawcy RP, Polska Rada Biznesu, Corporate Connections, Apart.pl, Michael Page, Montecristo Magazine, Westminster Foundation, JNT Group, Oshee, Hatten Wines, Dictador, Kinga Pienińska, Angelus Estate, Jordan Brand, Wealthon, SIP, illy.

TOP CHARITY is the largest initiative in Europe combining business, philanthropy, and art. The project, created by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska, develops a modern model of philanthropy based on partnership, long-term social impact, and international cooperation. Over four editions, the initiative has raised nearly PLN 150 million for social projects carried out in Poland and worldwide. Currently, the TOP CHARITY Art exhibition is taking place at the Orangery of the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów, showcasing works that will be auctioned during the TOP CHARITY Gala on May 30 this year. Until June 16, the public can view, free of charge, works by internationally acclaimed artists including Magdalena Abakanowicz, Ewa Juszkiewicz, Amoako Boafo, and Ibrahim Mahama in one shared exhibition space.