Who We Are

The Ghana Team

  • Rashid is a Gonja from Sawla, Savannah Region, Ghana. A human rights activist, linguist, singer, and cultural broker for migrants in Spain, he was an economic migrant to Spain arriving in 2001. He founded the Cultural, Environmental, Human, Development Association (CEHDA) in 2008 to serve the migrant communities in Spain.

    He now divides his time between Barcelona and Sawla (Ghana) and founded the World Institute of Africa Culture and Traditions (WIACT) to help migrants find their way home and develop opportunities discovering African traditional knowledge, language and culture. He lectures on his personal experiences to classes at The University of Arizona and collaborates with the university on various projects. He is often invited to speak at human rights conferences throughout Europe and the United States.

    Rashid speaks eight African languages in addition to Spanish, Catalan, and English. His journey from Sawla to Europe is documented in the book Understanding Migrant Decisions, From Sub-Sahara Africa to the Mediterranean Region.

  • Salifu lives in Sawla, Savannah Region, Ghana. He is the on-ground Operations Manager for the Savannah Rising and WIACT Native Trees For Education Program; additionally, he is the current headmaster for the Nasoyiri School, one of the schools participating in the Native Trees Program.

    He previously studied at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana and Atebubu College of Education, and is currently working towards obtaining his Masters of Education at SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies.

The Board

  • Peter had a career spanning 40+ years in agriculture, working for some of the largest agriculture companies in the USA, Australia, and UK. He lived in Chile in the early 90's farming and exporting table grapes: while spending the last 28 years in California, he has worked in international marketing and production of grapes, having visited and worked in more than 20 countries.

    In 2018 after certain world events transpired - leaving him uneasy - he enrolled in a Masters Degree Program at The University of Arizona to gain a deeper understanding of migration and human rights. It is there where he attended a guest lecture from Rashid Iddris, CEO of WIACT.

    In 2019 Peter visited Barcelona to observe the work done by Rashid’s non-profit in Spain, CEHDA, when Rashid invited him to visit Ghana. Peter visited the Savannah Region, where he was struck by the deforestation and neglected educational system. He saw tremendous potential with the people, theirculture, and the natural resources that, if channeled properly, could help make the region rise to prosperity. From there came the organization's name.

    Peter retired in 2022 and is now dedicated full-time to Savannah Rising, which was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2023. He has a B.S. from The University of Arizona in Plant Sciences, an M.B.A from Colorado State University, and an M.S. from The University of Arizona in Human Rights Practice.

  • After studying Agronomy - with a specialization in wine production - at the Catholic University of Chile, Magdalena began her career at the University’s Enology Department, helping develop a program to certify wines for export.

    She went on to help develop and administer one of Chile’s first raspberry farms for export to the United States and Europe, pioneering the use of refrigeration and other post-harvest control techniques for raspberries. Another notable career feat includes developing a hydroponic Belgian endive export program.

    Like Peter, Magdalena also has a background in growing & exporting table grapes (and nectarines). She’s also produced tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, and potatoes for sale in Chile.

    When not producing artisanal crafts, mainly leather goods, as Owner of Manena Crafts, she volunteers for WIACT and CEHDA: facilitating native tree reforestation in Savannah Region schools with an emphasis on food security, empowering women and children, and recovering indigenous knowledge.

  • After graduating from the University of California with a B.S. in Biology in 2009, Marc moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area and has worked for various tech startups in roles ranging from Customer Success, IT Administration, Facilities Management, and Operations.

    Marc supports Savannah Rising as Treasurer and IT administrator: helping with fundraising efforts, general financial oversight, and all things IT.