Honoring Heritage While Leading Internationally: Louisa A. Agossivi Sedjro’s Insights on Cultural Connection and Self-Discovery

                                                                      

Dear Dreamers,

Join me in another inspiring interview on Dreamweavers, where I welcome Louisa A. Agossivi Sedjro, a remarkable leader and the First Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board at GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). With a rich heritage as a Togolese-German, Louisa shares her journey of embracing cultural identity, her rise to leadership in the international development sector, and the powerful lessons she has learned about cultural connection and self-discovery. Let's dive into her story of resilience, heritage, and purpose.

Beatrice: Thank you so much for joining me today on the Dreamweavers platform. I'm excited to have you here. To start our conversation, could you share a bit about your background? What was life like for you growing up? What experiences or people shaped your life journey?

Louisa: Thank you for inviting me to this conversation. It’s always a pleasure to meet new and interesting people, especially fellow Black individuals here in Germany. So, about my background—I’m Togolese first and foremost, which is a significant part of my identity. I’m also German. I came to Germany when I was eight with my parents and siblings, and I’ve spent most of my time in Cologne, so I identify as Togolese-German.

Growing up, the people who shaped my life were primarily Togolese. My parents were very involved in the diaspora community in Germany, helping Togolese newcomers navigate their first steps in a new country. It was a fundamental part of my upbringing to see them assisting others—taking them to administrative offices and helping them learn the language. This taught me the importance of community support. Through these experiences, I learned the value of mutual aid: we support others, and in turn, we receive support.

Additionally, a significant influence was a Togolese politician and lawyer who fought for justice and human rights. His involvement in our lives and his stories shaped my desire to study law. I saw him as a model for how I wanted to engage with my community, both in Germany and possibly in Togo.

Beatrice: Thank you for sharing this insight into your life. You mentioned you're from Togo. How have the cultural values and wisdom from Togo affected your personal growth and current career? 

Louisa: Being from Togo, specifically from the Ewe ethnic group, which spans Ghana, Togo, and Benin, my mother tongue and cultural heritage have been very important to me. Growing up, we spoke only Ewe and French at home. German was not spoken at home because my parents felt it was crucial for us to maintain our Togolese identity, especially since we were growing up outside of Togo.

For my parents, it was essential that we could navigate life in Togo, so we always stayed connected to our family there. Whenever we visited, I would spend time in the village with my grandfather, listening to his stories about growing up in Ghana and later moving to Togo. These experiences were vital for me to understand that I have another culture beyond the German one. As a Black person in Germany, I often felt like I didn’t belong. But in Togo, I felt I could truly breathe—I can’t quite describe it, but I think all Black people who return to their roots experience this feeling. Language was a crucial part of connecting to this culture, which is why my Ewe language is very important to me. 

Beatrice: Louisa. You mentioned you grew up in Germany. Could you tell us more about what your childhood was like here?

Louisa:  I think I had a good childhood in Germany. We arrived in the early '90s. Looking back, I realize it wasn't easy, but at the time, I didn’t experience significant discrimination from those around me. We settled in Cologne, which is relatively more open and diverse compared to some other parts of Germany.

Due to the political situation in Togo, many Togolese people came to Germany around that time, so we had a strong community. Being among the older community members, my parents created many joyful moments for us despite the challenges. We also interacted a lot with the Ghanaian community due to my mother’s connections there. This dual community involvement positively shaped my childhood.

As children, we didn’t feel the weight of the difficulties as much. Our parents shielded us from it. Now that I’m older, I realize those experiences built my resilience. Overall, I’d say I had a joyful childhood.

Beatrice:  Wonderful. You mentioned the German language earlier. We all know how challenging it can be to learn a new language. How did you manage to learn German, and what advice would you give to others who are learning a new language?

Louisa:  We came to Germany in August 1994, right after the school year had started. We didn’t attend any German language classes. We were just thrown into school. I remember it was tough because I had always been good in school back home, but suddenly I couldn’t understand anything except for math, where language wasn’t a barrier.(She Laughs)

We had a social worker at our school who spoke French, and after regular classes, we’d have language lessons with her. Learning through immersion, playing with other children and being in a German-speaking environment was key. For children, it’s easier because they adapt quickly through interaction.

One piece of advice I’d give to parents is to continue speaking your native language at home. This way, children don’t lose their heritage while learning the new language in an environment where it’s spoken correctly.

Beatrice: That’s great advice. Growing up as an African child in Germany, what were the major challenges you had to overcome?

Louisa:  For me, maintaining my African identity was a major challenge. I always loved wearing African fabrics and incorporating them into my outfits, but back then, it wasn’t considered cool, even within the Black community. It was cooler to be associated with African American culture rather than African.

It was tough because my identity wasn’t just rejected by White society but also by my peers within the Black community. Today, African culture is celebrated more, but it wasn’t like that back then. Seeing this change now, I feel there’s been progress, but we need to acknowledge where we came from and reflect on our past attitudes.

 

Beatrice: That’s a very powerful point. What advice would you give to a young African girl in the diaspora struggling to accept her natural hair and beauty?

Louisa: It’s a process. I would say to any young girl to trust herself and not look to others for validation. My parents were very affirming about my appearance and taught me to value myself as I am. I’m quite dark-skinned, and my mother would tell me stories of how, in Togo, people celebrated dark skin as a sign of beauty and strength. This affirmation from my family helped me see my beauty without needing external validation.

For darker-skinned girls especially, remember you are beautiful just the way you are. You don’t need to change your skin color or hair to fit someone else’s standards. There will come a time when people appreciate you for who you are, but you don’t need to wait for that. Know your worth now.

Beatrice: Thank you for that empowering advice. Still on the topic of youth, how did you find your purpose, and what advice would you give to young people struggling to find theirs?

Louisa: My purpose developed naturally over time. From a young age, I was exposed to political discussions and the work my parents did in our community, which instilled in me a sense of justice and a desire to contribute to positive change. I decided to study law because I saw it as a tool for justice, particularly after meeting a lawyer who was deeply involved in human rights.

My advice to young people would be to pay attention to what naturally interests you and to listen to your inner sense of justice or passion. Often, your purpose aligns with these inner cues. Also, remember that finding your purpose is a journey—it’s okay for it to change and evolve as you grow.

Beatrice: That’s very insightful. Looking at your career, you’ve worked on many projects related to diversity and inclusion. What personal values or experiences motivate you in these areas?

Louisa:  Working in international development as a Black person is already challenging. The development sector often views Africans as beneficiaries rather than as equals in decision-making. This motivates me to focus on diversity and inclusion—it’s crucial to bring diverse perspectives to the table, especially from those who are typically seen as beneficiaries.

I believe that power should be used to elevate the voices of those who are often excluded. My upbringing taught me the importance of supporting others, and I see this work as an extension of that. It’s not about power for its own sake but about using it to create more equitable spaces where everyone’s voice is heard.

Beatrice: You mentioned the importance of power in creating change. How do you balance having power and staying true to your values?

Louisa: It's easy to misuse power if you don’t stay grounded in your values. For me, it’s about constantly reflecting on my upbringing and the lessons I learned about service and humility. I also surround myself with advisors and friends who keep me grounded and remind me of my purpose. This helps me use power responsibly and stay focused on the bigger picture.

Beatrice: That’s wonderful. How do you balance your work and personal life, and what do you do to take care of yourself?

Louisa: I make sure to pray a lot and take time for spiritual reflection. I also prioritize taking breaks, like going to the spa once a month and taking regular trips to Togo. Spending time with my family, friends, and partner is also important. Having a support system and setting boundaries for personal time helps me stay balanced and take care of myself

Beatrice: That’s great to hear. What are your main goals for the future, and how do you hope to inspire others with your journey?

Louisa: My next goal is to take on a higher leadership position in my work. I recently completed a leadership assessment successfully, so I’m looking forward to that next step. I hope to inspire others by demonstrating that it’s possible to stay true to your values, make a difference, and be successful in your field.

Beatrice: Thank you so much, Louisa for sharing your inspiring Journey with us 

Louisa: The pleasure is all mine