Dear Martin, could you introduce yourself and your role in Afripoli?

My name is Mawuli Awuah Drah. I’m originally from Ghana and currently working as an Energy Analyst at Afripoli. My role has evolved since I joined. I started out working on analytical reports on the renewable (specifically solar) energy landscape in West Africa, mapping out business and investment opportunities. Now, my work is more focused on project implementation, where I’m assisting in the field deployment of our mobile solar power plant project in Ghana.

We know that you studied energy security at Masaryk University in Brno. What brought you to this topic?

Yes, I studied Energy Policy, which is the English version of the Energy Security program at MUNI in Brno. In Ghana, after your first degree, you do a compulsory one-year service to the country. I was posted to the Upper East Region, near the border with Burkina Faso, which is one of the more deprived parts of the country. I worked with staff from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on a World Bank–funded program called the Ghana Social Opportunities Project (GSOP). The program had elements of climate mitigation, which became my second introduction to energy and climate issues. Combined with my Political Science background, I started developing interest in the sector and led me to pursue the program at MUNI.

So how did you enjoy studying in Brno? And why is Prague better?

Brno is a traditional student city, always full of students, which makes the environment lively and supportive. I would choose Brno for studying, but Prague for living. Prague offers more opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Thank you for the insight! And what brought you to Czechia in the first place?

I knew about Czechia since secondary school through my Geography classes, but I only seriously considered it after a friend told me about study opportunities here. The tuition fees were the lowest among all the countries I researched including the UK, Netherlands, US, Canada, and Australia while the quality of education was on par. The cost of living was also much more affordable, so I decided Czechia was the best place to further my studies and start building my career.

That is really interesting. So what do you think about the future of relations between Czechia and Ghana?

Czechia and Ghana already have a good foundation, dating back to the 1960s when our first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, visited Czechoslovakia. I believe relations will only get better. There’s already cooperation in the health sector every year, Czech medical doctors travel to Ghana for surgical programs, and recently Ghanaian doctors have also visited Czechia for exchange programs. I think there’s even more potential in economic cooperation. Ghana has vast economic opportunities and natural resources that Czech companies could tap into through mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and security.

Now on an easier note. What is one fun fact about you?

I prefer a quiet life.

And what is something you really like about Czechia and miss about Ghana?

I miss Ghanaian food. Even though there are African shops here, it’s just not quite the same as back home. In Czechia, I really appreciate how efficient the public transport system is, the metro, trams, and buses, and also how safe the country feels.

Thank you, Martin, for sharing your story and for the energy you bring — both to Afripoli and to the communities we work with.