The Past and Presence of the Relationships between Poland and Republic of Ghana

Abstract

This paper shows the development of the relationships between Polish land and state and West-African region, in particular Republic of Ghana, starting from the first exploratory expeditions up to the construction of institutional solutions in the second half of the 20^th century.

The first documented visits of Polish people on the coast of Ghana date back to 19^th and the beginning of the 20^th century, when this territory went under the colonial rules of Great Britain. These people were soldiers, administrators and traders.

During the inter-war period, the Polish state was interested in gaining its own areas on this territory with the intention of future economic development. These coasts were also reached by few travelers and emigrants searching for work. Only few people can be distinguished from the Polish community staying in Ghana.

This situation changed during the Second World War and post-war period. At the beginning of the 40's in Ghana an important military mission was created which was managed by allied forces. Its aim was to transport the military equipment to Northern Africa which was involved in war. Therefore, pilots and technicians were sent to Ghana for operating British planes. They were accompanied by soldiers and officers constituting the protection of the transport base and caring for order in the colony. Among people arriving in Ghana were representatives of the Polish Military Forces in West.

During the first years after the end of the Second World War, a part of Polish soldiers stayed in Ghana. Over time representatives of the civil emigrant workers centered on the British Isles joined them. In the 50's the Polish community in Ghana increased to approximately 100 people. This situation changed again after 1957 when the independent state was created in West Africa. Polish-Ghanian diplomatic, economic and cultural relationships were soon started. During the first years they brought fruit in the form of dynamically developing economic co-operation, goods exchange, providing education according to the needs of the Ghanian market and the arrival of Polish scientific and technical specialists to Ghana. For Poland, Ghana was, apart from Nigeria, one of the most attractive markets in West Africa in years 1960-1966. This situation changed after the first president of Ghana who created a one-party system based on close co-operation with countries of the Eastern Block, lost his position.

At the threshold of 21^st century Ghana is the reflection of Polish policy towards Subsaharian Africa. It is still located in the-so-called first group of countries with priority for Polish policy with respect to this region. This is the consequence of Polish needs and economic and trade interests. Contemporary Polish community in Ghana amounts to approximately 100 people. In main part it resulted from mixed Polish-Ghanian marriages, so it can be described as matrimonial emigration. The remaining part are Polish priests and nuns working on missions.