Our Story
Objectives
The HACSA Foundation was founded in 2016 by Ambassador Johanna Svanikier with a bold and inspiring mission: to preserve and promote African heritage and culture, reconnect the African diaspora, and empower women and youth. Born from a deep commitment to safeguarding Africa’s rich cultural legacy while fostering innovation and socioeconomic development, HACSA has grown into a dynamic force for change on the continent and beyond.
HACSA seeks to unify the African diaspora and Africa enthusiasts, preserve and promote African heritage and culture, shed light on our histories and legacies, and invest in the future by developing leadership and skills in the youth and empowering women and girls.
Vision
To curate virtual and physical meeting spaces and places that celebrate African heritage and culture and enlighten, empower, inspire and educate people and communities through knowledge, skills, innovation and learning about Africa.
Mission
To reunite the diaspora, preserve and promote African heritage and culture, celebrate the achievements of people of African descent, empower women and girls and develop leadership and skills in the youth.
Founding and Mission
After serving as Ghana’s Ambassador to France, Portugal, and UNESCO, Ambassador Svanikier returned to Ghana with a clear vision — to continue the initiatives she had spearheaded on the global stage. Recognizing the profound value of African heritage and its potential to drive development, she founded HACSA to create a platform that would not only protect Africa’s cultural identity but also empower future generations to thrive.
HACSA’s mission is clear:
- Preserve and promote African heritage and culture.
- Reconnect Africans on the continent with the diaspora.
- Empower women and youth through education, leadership, and technology.
- Bridge the past and future through innovation and digital transformation.
Driving Impact Through Innovation, Culture, and Empowerment
Our Focus Areas
Preservation and Promotion of African Heritage and Culture
Reuniting the African Diaspora
Empowerment of Women and Youth
Innovation and Digital Transformation
Key Initiatives
HACSA HERITAGE AND INNOVATION HUBS
Objectives
HACSA’s Heritage and Innovation Hubs Project aims to establish a network of cultural and innovation centres across Ghana for tech & creative skills training, innovation, reflection and healing. They will act as impact hubs for all our programs and projects, regional institutes of learning for locals and visitors alike, a home away from home for the African Diaspora and a meeting point for members of the HACSA Sankofa Network. They will also serve local communities, tourists, artists, students, families and schools, providing information, knowledge and a variety of activities, including educational programs,
exhibitions, workshops and cultural displays.
TECH4GIRLS
Tech4Girls
Tech4Girls is a hands-on learning program which trains girls and women in digital skills, including ICT, coding and AI, in order to empower them with tech skills for career development.The initiative creates opportunities for African girls and women to immerse themselves in technology and acquire skills needed for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Girls will also be taught soft skills including entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence and leadership.
HACSA SANKOFA SUMMIT
HACSA Sankofa Summit
The HACSA Summit is our flagship fundraising event. Our Summit celebrates the rich history, heritage, and culture of Africa while raising funds for our programmes and projects to develop regional heritage hubs as, welcome, educational, reflection, and healing centers for the African Diaspora. The Summit is a prestigious event that convenes government leaders, opinion and thought leaders, creatives, captains of industry, academic scholars, and influencers.Â
OUR ORIGINs
The HACSA Foundation was founded under the leadership of Ambassador Johanna Svanikier in 2016, on her return to Ghana from Paris, to continue initiatives and projects she had begun as Ghana’s Ambassador to France, Portugal and UNESCO.
HACSA unites the African diaspora and Africa enthusiasts, to preserve and promote African heritage and culture, shed light on our histories and legacies and invest in the future by developing leadership and skills in the youth and empowering women and girls.
HACSA’s work is guided by four key pillars
Our Pillars
ADVOCACY
ADVOCACY
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
COLLABORATION
COLLABORATION
OUR FOUNDER
Ambassador Johanna Svanikier is the Founder, President and CEO of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation, HACSA-USA and HACSA-Caribbean. In March 2017, Ambassador Svanikier organised the hugely influential African Diaspora Homecoming Conference to celebrate Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary in a memorable and meaningful way. This seminal event inspired “the Year of Return” in Ghana and was followed by the HACSA Sankofa Summit 2019, which symbolically commemorated 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade began.
Ambassador Svanikier is Ghana’s recent past Ambassador to France & Portugal and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and La Francophonie. During her tour of duty in Paris, she initiated Ghana’s membership of the OECD Development Centre where she represented Ghana on the Governing Board. Ambassador Svanikier chaired the ECOWAS Group at UNESCO from 2014 to 2015 and successfully campaigned to win Ghana a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board. She also organised a delegation from France to Ghana led by the Prime Minister of France.
OUR FOUNDER
Ambassador Johanna Svanikier is Founder, President and CEO of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation, HACSA-USA and HACSA-Caribbean. In March 2017, Ambassador Svanikier organised the hugely influential African Diaspora Homecoming Conference to celebrate Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary in a memorable and meaningful way. This seminal event inspired “the Year of Return” in Ghana and was followed by the HACSA Sankofa Summit 2019, which symbolically commemorated 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade began.
Ambassador Svanikier is Ghana’s recent past Ambassador to France & Portugal and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and La Francophonie. During her tour of duty in Paris, she initiated Ghana’s membership of the OECD Development Centre where she represented Ghana on the Governing Board. Ambassador Svanikier chaired the ECOWAS Group at UNESCO from 2014 to 2015 and successfully campaigned to win Ghana a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board. She also organised a delegation from France to Ghana led by the Prime Minister of France.
Impact and Recognition
Since its founding, HACSA has established itself as a respected and influential international non-profit. Its impact is visible through:
Empowering the next generation of digital leaders
Hands-on sessions delivering skills for the future
Celebrating African heritage with global voices
A growing network of passionate changemakers