About us

Meaning of Sankofa

The Sankofa word and symbol comes from the Akan people of Ghana with Sankofa translating to “go back and fetch it”. The symbol of a bird with its head turned backward, carrying an egg in its mouth, represents the importance of looking back at our past to learn from it and build a better future. The founders of Sankofa International chose the name because the investment in their education provided them opportunities and with Sankofa International the goal is to go back and provide the same opportunity for others in an underserved community.

Founding of Sankofa
International

Belinda Wireko is a Ghanaian who left Ghana to support her Ghanaian family and start a family of her own in the 1980’s. She often travels back to Ghana to visit her family and would stay in the same home she grew up in, which is across the street from the school she attended. She kept in touch with the school leadership and would often hear about their shortfalls, from a lack of toilets which would make teachers end class early to reading books and mimicking how computers worked due to not having actual

About Sankofa International

Sankofa International was created to reduce the disparity of technological education in Ghana. In today’s dynamic environment the need to learn through the use of technology is crucial so that children do not fall behind. Sankofa International is an 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating and investing in opportunities for underserved Ghanaian youth. The goal of the organization is to provide the supplies and tools needed to better empower and educate students. Though the organization is focused on providing technology (computers, tablets, internet, etc) based on the foundational needs for the children, the organization may start with basics such as toiletries and facilities to ensure there is a safe space to learn.

Board of Directors

Belinda Wireko
President

Belinda is a retired Nurse Practitioner and worked as a nurse for over 25 years in several roles and companies throughout the Cicinnati, Ohio area. Belinda was born in Kumasi, Ghana and settled in the United States in 1989 with her husband to start a family. Since retiring, Belinda spends his time between the US and Ghana

Fred Wireko
Vice President

Fred is a retiree from Procter & Gamble where he worked in research and chemistry for over 30 Years. Fred was born in Accra Ghana and traveled from Ghana to the US by way of education. Since retiring, Fred spends his time between the US and Ghana

Michael Wireko
Treasurer

Michael is a Ghanaian American and one of the sons of Fred and Belinda Wireko who lives in Chicago. Michael attended The Ohio State University and is an Executive at a Tech company with work experience in Finance, Analytics and Operations

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