The idea for Discover Brama came from the two of us wanting to make a difference, and with the tourism school project in conjunction with a beach resort, we believe we are on the way to achieving that goal. We are actively supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in various fields such as architecture and project management, but also in global development issues, spatial planning and regional development, sociology, community work and, of course, project funding.
For many years, I have been concerned with sustainability in my architectural work. Sustainability in terms of materiality, ecology, energy efficiency and social impact, i.e. in the entire socio-ecological environment.
In 2021, during a first stay in Ghana, I experienced the enormous differences between “our” Central Europe and the African continent.
Perhaps we are sometimes unaware of the privileged society in which we live.
One of the main problems is the social imbalance between men and women. While many things in the “western world” are still not good in this respect, there is still a lot of catching up to do for women in Africa.
Our project idea of a tourism academy for young women addresses exactly this problem. Young women who are well educated and self-confident are the basis for a positive change in society. An additional advantage is the combination of theoretical training at school and practical immersion in the beach resort. This dual education system, which we know so well in German-speaking countries, is largely unknown in Ghana. I think that with this plus of a good education, we can really guarantee an excellent, internationally recognised education. It would be nice if our project could also serve as a positive example in other areas of vocational training.
I remember one contact with a young mother who lived with her children in a poor shack next to our property. When she saw us, she immediately approached us and asked about work and how much she hoped we would build our project and create jobs locally.
Designing the buildings for the school and resort then brings me full circle to my core competency, construction. With the help of my very committed team in the Passau architectural office, assisted by Ghanaian colleagues, it is a matter of great concern to us to show how you can build sustainably on the one hand, and modern and efficient on the other, using local materials and local craftsmanship.
The whole environment of our project has a very rural character with many small businesses. For a project that is very large compared to other construction projects in the area, one would normally use larger construction companies in Ghana. However, we want to show that it is possible to achieve an attractive result with local small companies through small-scale planning and careful management.
My wish is that through consistent, well-prepared project development we can set an example of a sustainable and successful project, especially in the non-profit sector.
From a young age, I always wanted to impact the world positively, but I wasn’t sure how. As I grew older, I had the opportunity to travel to various regions of my country for school and work, which exposed me to diverse situations. Witnessing the way people lived in different places altered my perspective on life. One encounter that left a lasting impression on me occurred in 2010 when I met a young girl between the ages of 12 to 15 years who was already a mother and worked as a porter in an urban market. The girl had relocated from her village, where she lived with her family, to a bigger city in search of a better life. Due to her young age, lack of education, and absence of family support, she had to work as a “kayayo” – a term used in Ghana for women who carry heavy loads in urban markets. Many of these young girls who work as kayayos are migrants with no place to call home in the city, and they are often left with no choice but to sleep in the marketplace. Consequently, they often become victims of sexual assault, and this young girl was no exception. She had no home or money but had a baby to care for.
This encounter profoundly impacted me and humbled me. It compelled me to take action and help the underprivileged, especially girls and young women. I became increasingly interested in issues related to development disparities, inequalities, and extreme poverty on both national and global levels. Pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies at the University of Passau, Germany, deepened my interest.
My professional and educational experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the dynamics of existing inequalities and the strategic approaches necessary for sustainable development. Meeting the young mother in the market and many others like her fueled my passion for girls’ education, women’s empowerment, and development. I became committed to creating a safe space where girls and young women can feel empowered, protected and heard in society. The Discover Brama project has allowed me to transform this vision into a reality.
Our Discover Brama project, which involves the construction of a tourism academy and an eco-beach resort, has allowed me to be part of a significant cause – the empowerment of the average rural woman. What sets our project apart is the unique dual education concept we offer young people, unprecedented in the region where we operate. Providing education and generating employment, particularly for young women, holds immense importance for long-term development.
We will lay the foundation for young women and girls to receive both theoretical and practical training in the tourism industry, equipping them for success in Ghana and beyond.
Our team in Ghana and in Germany
We come from diverse backgrounds and combine international work experience and cultural knowledge: We combine Ghanaian knowledge with global perspectives. The core team is supported by a range of professionals who understand the local tourism industry, the local education landscape, appropriate building materials and styles, and local customs, laws and regulations.
Lisa Fröhler
Lisa studied architecture in Germany and Indonesia, where she planned a beach resort in Bali. Her expertise went into the planning of the Brama Eco Beach Resort and Academy, where she implements her knowledge of building in humid climates.
Fidelia Ida Nettey
Fidelia is an architect situated in Ghana. Her expertise in local building materials and the local building industry in general are valued assets to obtain building permits, find building and engineering partners and be on good terms with the local building authorities.
Paula Kellnberger
Paula works in our Passau architecture office and converts the architectural designs into 3D models. This is how pictures and videos are created that give a first impression of the finished project even before construction begins - anticipation included.
Valentina Kofler
Valentina is a spatial planner with experience in regional/rural development and the concept of “soft tourism”. With her additional background in sociology, she’s able to keep the economic, ecologic and social aspects of the big picture in mind and integrate the community and natural environment into her planning decisions.
Judith Biel
Judith is the founder of a consulting group with experience in structuring and launching hotels and restaurants, and educating and training staff. As hospitality experts, she and her team contribute to our financial projections and target market analysis.
Belinda Ghansah
Belinda holds a masters degree in education and is licensed to handle secondary schools and training colleges of education. With her 11 years of experience in the Ghanaian educational system, she helped us build a stable basis for the further development of the course system of the Brama Academy.
Alexander Bernauer
Alexander is managing partner of a consulting company in business development and human resources. He has worked in audit and finance for almost two decades, and helped us get started with the financial foundation and legal organisation of Discover Brama.
Christoph Roll
Christoph continues Alexander’s work. He’s an auditor with experience in different industries, and focuses on the assessment and optimisation of operational processes.
Anne Schallock
Anne is an experienced business consultant with a history of working in finance. She worked with Deloitte in Namibia, the non-profit start-up ShareTheMeal by the WFP, and Microsoft, and founded her own company in financial literacy for young adults.
