Progress Begins With People
DESEKTA – Partnership Düsseldorf–Sekondi-Takoradi e.V. is a non-profit association committed to strengthening the city partnership between Düsseldorf in Germany and Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana.
We work as a bridge between people, institutions and ideas. Our goal is to turn municipal friendship into concrete cooperation in areas such as climate action, education, digital transformation, culture, youth exchange, health, circular economy and fair economic development.
Our approach is based on equal partnership: projects are not designed for one city by the other, but developed together, implemented together and evaluated together.
Whether you are a public institution, foundation, company, university, school, NGO, diaspora organisation or individual supporter, there is a meaningful role for you in this partnership. Together, we can transform city-to-city cooperation into practical projects that create value in both Düsseldorf and Sekondi-Takoradi.
DESEKTA works across seven interconnected areas that reflect the priorities of both cities and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Each focus area is developed through dialogue, local knowledge and shared responsibility.
We support practical climate and clean energy initiatives that strengthen community resilience, promote renewable energy and encourage sustainable urban development in both cities.
We promote digital skills, civic technology and inclusive access to digital tools. Our work supports young people, local institutions and communities to participate meaningfully in the digital future.
We connect schools, universities, youth groups and training institutions to create learning opportunities across borders. Through exchange programmes, workshops and joint projects, young people become active contributors to sustainable development.
Culture is central to mutual understanding. DESEKTA supports artistic collaboration, heritage exchange, creative industries and cultural dialogue between Düsseldorf and Sekondi-Takoradi.
We support practical solutions in waste management, recycling, plastic reduction, textile reuse and circular economy innovation, with a focus on local capacity building and environmental responsibility.
We encourage cooperation in health education, community wellbeing and institutional exchange, helping partners share knowledge and strengthen local systems.
We promote business-linked cooperation between Ghana and Germany, especially in areas that create jobs, support SMEs, strengthen local value chains and encourage responsible investment.
Every DESEKTA project follows a clear and transparent process. This helps us ensure that projects respond to real needs, involve the right partners and create measurable results.
Partners in Düsseldorf and Sekondi-Takoradi jointly identify needs, opportunities and local priorities before any project is developed.
We design realistic pilot initiatives with clear objectives, shared responsibilities, expected outcomes and funding requirements.
Projects are delivered through cooperation between institutions, experts, communities and local actors in both cities.
We document results, evaluate lessons learned and share knowledge openly so successful models can be improved, replicated and scaled.
DESEKTA offers partners a credible platform for international cooperation between Germany and Ghana. We combine municipal partnership, diaspora engagement, institutional networks and local knowledge to develop projects that funders, cities and communities can trust.
By working with us, partners contribute to sustainable development, intercultural understanding and practical cooperation between Europe and Africa.
Our work is built on collaboration with municipalities, public institutions, civil society organisations, educational partners, businesses, diaspora networks and community actors in Germany and Ghana.
Together, we are building a partnership that is transparent, inclusive and impact-oriented.
The strength of DESEKTA lies in the people behind it: volunteers, professionals, students, entrepreneurs, public officials, community leaders and partner organisations.
Each contribution matters. Whether through expertise, funding, project support, networking, mentoring or volunteering, every partner helps turn the Düsseldorf–Sekondi-Takoradi relationship into visible impact.
We bring people from both cities together to exchange knowledge, build trust and develop shared solutions.
We support cooperation between municipalities, schools, universities, NGOs, businesses and community organisations.
We focus on practical projects with clear goals, transparent implementation and long-term value for both cities.
Real perspectives from the people building the Düsseldorf–Sekondi-Takoradi partnership.
Systems work best when they serve people. DESEKTA proves that digital tools and human connection are not opposites — they are multipliers. Every project we build makes both cities stronger.
We are actively seeking funding partners, municipalities, foundations, companies, universities, NGOs and individuals who want to support sustainable cooperation between Düsseldorf and Sekondi-Takoradi.
If your organisation is interested in climate action, youth development, digital transformation, culture, education, circular economy or fair economic cooperation, we would be pleased to start a conversation.
