BUSIA FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
YEAR IN REVIEW
The Eighteen months between March 2007 and August 2008 encompassed a number of important Anniversaries: March 2007 marked the Golden Jubilee of Ghana’s Independence from British rule, for which Dr. Busia and his colleagues soberly struggled.  July 2008 marked the 95th Anniversary of Dr. Busia’s birth and the 10th Anniversary of Busia Foundation, founded by Mrs. Naa Morkor Busia, former First Lady of Ghana and Prime-Minister Busia’s widow. And August 2008 marked the 30th Anniversary of  Dr. Busia’s passing.  In commemoration of these three events we reflect on this extended “year” in review.

2007

MARCH 8TH BOOK LAUNCH – THE PROF
A book of current and historic tributes to Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, including Dr. Busia’s Address to Parliament on Independence Day 1957, compiled and edited by daughter Dr. Abena P.A. Busia assisted by David Busia-Thomas, Prof’s grandson is launched at the International Conference Center, Accra.

APRIL 5TH BIRTHDAY WISHES OF BFI PATRON, MRS. NAA MORKOR BUSIA
April 5th marked the 83rd Birthday of Mrs. Naa Morkor Busia.  As per Mrs. Busia’s birthday wishes, BFI staff, Ebenezer Antwi, Isaac Amoateng and Lawrence Arthur, accompanied BFI President Akosua Busia to “Blue House”, the home in which Mrs. Busia’s father, Mr Boler Quarminah King Bruce, retired and died.  Mrs Busia had asked them to search for personal letters between Dr. Busia and herself, as well as other valuable letters and documents hidden in a garden shed by her father at the time of Dr. Busia’s first exile. Archivist Mr. Augustine Mensah who started working with the Foundation nearly a year before, spearheaded the exploration and was excited to retrieve several trunk loads of papers, including the missing letters of courtship and early marriage, and such gems as Dr. Busia’s BBC Radio Broadcasts from England to West Africa during the 2nd World War. 

MAY 31st EXHIBITION OF DR. BUSIA’S MEMORABILIA
As part of the Ghana @ 50 Celebrations, historical exhibitions were mounted in various locations around the country, including at the infamous Ussher Fort prison, now converted into a museum.  Amongst memorabilia on display were books and artifacts of Dr. Busia, including several items of his clothing such as the Oxford University Masters robe he wore when teaching and the robe he received for his Doctorate, lent by BFI for the exhibition on Ghana’s past leaders.

JUNE 7TH KOFI VORDZORGBE TRAVELS TO USA ON MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
After Stevie Wonder introduced CCS student Kofi Vordzorgbe  (the little musical genius) at the BFI screening of THE PROF  at the International Conference Center,  BFI was contacted by H.E. Pamela Bridgewater,  US Ambassador to Ghana, with the good news that Dr. Amos C Brown  also from the US was present at the Conference Center concert and wanted to offer assistance in getting Kofi to a  music school in the US worthy of his prodigious talent. CCS co-founders Grandma and Marquita Stokes, worked tirelessly to assist in finding Kofi the right placements and enough funds to facilitate his maintenance in the US.  On June 7th Kofi flew to the US on Delta First Class in pursuit of his dreams!

JUNE 10th ON-SITE VISIT TO MONTESSORI SCHOOL - PEDU
 BFI staff visit Cape Coast to inspect progress of the Montessori School dormitory being erected on school grounds in order to house orphaned and underprivileged children who attend the school. A $10,000 seed by private donors, $5,000 by SACF was donated to the school via BFI. The kindergarten through Junior High school boasts an aggregate of 100% for BEC exams, the highest in the Central Region. Bishop Blake called his visit to the school one of the many high points of his trip to Ghana.

JUNE 30th MYSTERY STATUE REVEALED[ click to download full article ]
Imagine our surprise when driving past the roundabout at 37 Military Hospital in the center of town near the airport the day before the start of the AU summit to discover that underneath this flag, unveiled, was a sculpture of BFI inspiration, Dr. K.A. Busia.

JULY 13th ANNUAL SACRED MUSIC CONCERT IN HONOR OF DR. K.A. BUSIA  
The Annual Concert of Sacred Music, usually held on August 28th in commemoration of the Anniversary of Dr. Busia’s passing, was this year held in honor of his July 11th Birthday at Calvary Methodist Church.  The Service; “Proclaiming the Acceptable Year” was a moving tribute to Dr. Busia, compiled and narrated by daughter Dr. Abena Busia. Readings were selected from some of Prof. Busia’s letters and speeches, all depicting his deep Christian faith.  Corresponding scriptures highlighting the enduring and practical faith which motivated Busia’s decisions and actions were read by family, friends and colleagues of the Prof.  Selections of his favorite Methodist hymns were sung by The Tema Youth Choir and the Calvary Church Choir.

AUGUST 28th MEMORIAL CANDLEIGHT PROCESSION – WENCHI
A spectacular and lively Candlelight procession took place in Dr. Busia’s home town of Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana.  Organized by the National President of the Brong-Ahafo Students' Union(BASU) and staunch activist of the Danquah-Busia tradition, Mr. Anane Agyei, as the grand finale of their annual conference  “In Celebration of Brong Ahafo Heroes”.  Hundreds of youths from tertiary and other institutions processed, singing in the dusk with candles through the town to the Mausoleum in the grounds of Busia’s family home. The Featured speaker for the occasion was BFI Co-Founder and International Liaison Officer, Dr Abena Busia, who was invited to speak on “The Life of Dr. K. A Busia as a Great Man of Africa”.

SEPTEMBER  8th KOFI VORDZOGE STARTS  SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
With support from CCS, Dr. Brown, BFI, the US Ambassador and scores of well-wishers, Kofi begins his studies at the renowned San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  BFI is happy to announce Kofi is doing excellently at the Conservatory in addition to making all A’s and B's at his private high school in San Francisco.

OCTOBER 25th BFI CHILD PRESENTS CAN 2008 AFRICAN CUP [ click to download full article ]
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the Ghana CAN 2008 Africa Cup of Nations climaxed the Odwira Festival of the Chiefs and People of the Aburi Traditional Area with its Road Show to enable the masses to have a close and visual view of the trophy of the Nations Cup. The Cup was unboxed and presented to the chiefs and assembled crowds and press by Hadar Busia-Singleton who recently traced her grandfather, former Prime Minister, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia's footsteps in the  BFI DOCU-DRAMA Film, The Prof: A Man Remembered, directed by Akosua Busia, the Prof’s  daughter and Hadar’s  mother. Hadar is photographed with   Dr Kofi Amoah, the Board Chairman of the LOC and national football stars Abedi Pele Ayew and Anthony Baffoe.

NOVEMBER 22nd BRITISH PREMIERE SCREENING OF THE PROF
Hosted by Innovision, BFI puts on a Gala Screening at the Lilian Bayliss Theatre, Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.  The screening is followed by musical entertainment performed by renowned British/Ghanaian singer Stephanie Benson. A question and answer session with the film’s producer, Dr Abena P.A. Busia and director/producer, Akosua Busia, is moderated by famed British/Ghanaian actor Hugh Quarshie.  Other panelists, all of whom participated in the film, include family friend, actor Rupert Farley who flew to Ghana to do voiceovers; former Mayor of Highbury and Islington Mr. Mike Boye-Anawomah; and the film’s featured `actress’ 10 year old granddaughter, Hadar Busia-Singleton.

DECEMBER 16th ONSITE XMAS CELEBRATION VISIT TO LANGMA SCHOOL
BFI  staff drive to Langma to do an onsite visit and discuss with school-teachers and the local chief, progress on the $5,000 BFI building grant awarded to Langma Primary school for the erection of roofs over open classrooms, and toilet facilities. A giant cake and minerals are taken to share out amongst the children.

2008

MARCH 8th THE PROF SCREENING AT GENESIS CINEMA, LONDON

MARCH 10th THE PROF SCREENING AT PALACE OF WESTMINSTER[ click to download full article ]
The Hon Diane Abbott M.P. hosted “An evening to honour an: African Hero Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia” at Portcullis House of the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster. A section of the film “The Prof. A Man Remembered.” was followed by a talk by the Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and flag bearer for the NPP in the up- coming Ghanaian General Elections. This screening was attended by Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Our thanks to Diane Abbott and Nana Ayebia of Ayebia Books for organizing this historic event at the British Houses of Parliament.

 MARCH 14TH NEUBERGER MUSEUM CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF HOPE IN AFRICA
BFI was selected as one of the charities whose work would be showcased as part of the festivities celebrating the reinstallation of the Museum’s Africa collection, now boasting over ninety fine pieces. The Neuberger Museum of Art at the State University of New York, Purchase, spent an evening celebrating the spirit of beauty and resilience of the Arts of Africa by celebrating people and movements which had triumphed through adversity.  Dr Abena Busia recited her praisepoem “Testament for the First Accused: Nelson Mandela for the Twenty-Seven Years,” and spoke about the work of BFI, which culminated with the presentation of a 10 minute documentary highlighting some of the Foundations work. Please click on photo to see a portion of the documentary.

APRIL 5TH ALBERT AMEYAW BEGINS WEEKLY ROYALS FM RADIO BROADCASTS
In conjunction with BFI, Albert Ameyaw begins weekly broadcasts promoting the ideals of Dr. K.A Busia in the Brong  Ahafo region.

APRIL 9th THE PROF DOCU-DRAMA CROSSES THE ATLANTIC[ click to download full article ]
BFI was pleased to host the first screening of The Prof: A Man Remembered in the United States. The event was sponsored by the Center for African Studies, The Department of Africana Studies, The Office of the Vice President for Academic and Public Partnerships in the Arts and Humanities, and The Alexander Library at Rutgers University. BFI co-founder Dr. Abena Busia, Acting Director of the Center for African Studies, introduced the film and answered questions at the end about the process of research done for the film.  In conjunction with the screening Alexander Library put up an exhibition of historic photographs of Dr. Busia’s life, outside the teleconference center of the University’s major research library. The photographic exhibition was extended for a couple of weeks by popular demand from faculty and students.

May 24th BFI SPONSORED CCS STUDENTS GRADUATE
Peter Nunoo -BS in Business Management graduates from Ashesi University in Ghana. Peter is an honor roll student and made the Dean's list. Patrick Ayertey - BS in Computer Information Systems - from Ashesi University in Ghana is an honor student. Elikplim Armevuvour - BA in Theater and Drama from the University of Ghana, and Darling Armah - BS in Business Management - from Ashesi University, also graduate.

 MAY 30TH ALBERT MEETS WITH BFI ON FORMING BUSIA FOUNDATION CLUB
 Albert Ameyaw and students from the Methodist University in Accra, meet with BFI President Akosua Busia, Archivist Mr. Mensah, and Director of Public Affairs, Anane Agyei, to discuss the formation of a Busia Foundation Club (BFC) to inspire youth to achieve moral, community and academic excellence.

JUNE 3rd BFI CHOOSES COLLEGE FUNDS RECIPIENT
BFI selects Bernice Naa D. Sackey as a BFI Scholarship recipient, with a stipend paid each Semester towards books and fees through completion of her degree.

JULY 10th BFI SYMPOSIUM IN HONOR OF DR. BUSIA’S 95TH BIRTHDAY
BFI Director of Public Affairs, Anane Agyei organizes a successful BFI Seminar in Sunyani in honor of Prof Busia. The symposium is the first of a series of events in July and August organized to celebrate what would have been Dr. Busia’s 95th birthday, and to mark the 30th Anniversary of his passing. Speakers include Hon. J.H. Mensah, Chairman of National Development Planning Commision and Minister of Finance in Dr Busia's government, Hon. Amma Busia, Member of the Council of State and Busia’s youngest sister, Prof. DeGraft Johnson, Former Head, Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Legon and one of Busia’s early students and Mr Haruna, Deputy CEO, Metro TV. Others include Prof Wayo Seini, leading member of the NPP, Prof. Gyan Barfuor, Deputy Minister of Finance and Mr. Ignatius Barfuor Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister and Mr. Peter Mac Manu, NPP Party Chairman. Despite having booked Sunyani’s largest indoor venue, the hall became so crowded there was standing room only, with chairs lined along the outside corridors. Scores of people eventually had to be turned away. The response was so overwhelming, the Regional Minister called for an annual celebration of Dr Busia in Brong-Ahafo.

JULY 10TH  PART ONE  OF THE PROF DOCU-DRAMA AIRS ON METRO TV

JULY 11TH UNVELING OF DR. BUSIA’S STATUE IN JUBILEE PARK[ click to download full article ]
H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, led a large convening of Chiefs, dignitaries and well wishers at a joyous unveiling of a larger than life size statue of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, beloved son of the region and Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana. The statue stands tall in Jubilee Park in the heart of Sunyani, the capital of Dr. Busia’s home region. This gesture, the inspiration of the Brong Ahafo Regional Assembly, to mark the 95th anniversary of Dr. Busia’s birth, is another landmark “first” for the late Prime Minister: He is the only one of Ghana’s great heroes to have a statute of him erected in the regional capital of his home state. PLEASE CLICK HERE: to see accompanying article; “Dr. Busia’s Statue, inspires BA Youth.  Click here to view accompanying article:  DR. BUSIA’S STATUE INSPIRES BA YOUTH.

JULY 11TH  Part 2  THE PROF DOCU-DRAMA AIRS ON METRO TV

JULY 11TH A SINGULAR BIRTHDAY GIFT
After the unveiling of the statue in Jubilee Park, visiting Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman the first Black woman to become Majority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly in the USA, presented to the Busia Family, the Joint Legislative Resolution of the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, acknowledging the unveiling of the statue and honouring the memory of the late Prime Minister of the Second Republic as an academician, politician and statesman.  The presentation took place at the Brong-Ahafo Regional Residency in the presence of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Prof. Gyan Barfuor, Deputy Minister of Finance and MP for Wenchi, Dr. Busia’s home constituency, and Mr. Ignatius Barfuor Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister and his Deputy, and members of the Board of the Busia Foundation and other dignitaries.

JULY 14th ANNUAL BUSIA FOUNDATION LECTURE
The Annual Busia Foundation Lecture to celebrate Dr. Busia’s birthday was delivered by NPP Flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.  He spoke on “Democracy, Security and The Rule of Law, “to a standing-room only crowd in the conference room of the newly opened Holiday Inn, in Airport City Accra.  The NPP Presidential Candidate, the son of the late President Edward Akufo-Addo,  used the occasion to deliver a major policy speech on a subject of concern to everyone in the room as the general elections approached.  It was received with a standing Ovation and a lively question and answer session. The Benverj International Band, led by Nii Lante Kumi-Bruce the first grandson of BFI patron Mrs Naa Morkor Busia, opened and closed the evening’s proceedings.

AUGUST 28TH COMMEMORATION OF THE 30TH YEAR OF DR. BUSIA’S PASSING.
Over 100 youths, all members of Busia Foundation Club, in conjunction with Zoomlion Company,  undertake a massive clean-up in the Wenchi municipality in honor of the memory of Dr. K.A. Busia, and his up-coming memorial events. The youth diligently cleaned streets, gutters, painted  pavements, and performed other beautifying and clean-up activities.

AUGUST 28TH DR. BUSIA MEMORIAL WENCHI METHODIST CHURCH   
A memorial Church service was held at Wenchi Methodist Church to mark the 30th Anniversary of Dr. Busia’s passing.  The people of Wenchi then celebrated their native son by joining the congregation in a candlelight procession and wreath lying at Dr. Busia’s final resting place, The Busia Mausoleum. Three of Dr. Busia’s grandchildren, Hadar, Kasai and Naa-Lankai took part in the readings of scriptures and writings celebrating Dr. Busia’s life.

AUGUST 28th BFI OUTDOOR SCREENING OF THE PROF DOC FOR WENCHI LOCALS
BFI hosts over 700 Wenchi locals in the grounds of Dr. Busia’s residence, to watch THE PROF docu-drama on their local hero. Large portions of the film were shot in Wenchi, so BFI members were very excited to be a part of the docu-drama’s first screening in Busia’s hometown.

AUGUST 28TH PART 1 OF THE PROF DOCU-DRAMA PREMIERS ON NATIONAL TV
Due to the massive positive reaction to the Prof Docudrama, after the Metro TV screenings, GBC airs the Docudrama nationwide, as part of its 30th year Memorial Tribute to Dr. Busia.

AUGUST 29TH FINALS OF BUSIA FOUNDATION CLUB EDUCATIONAL QUIZ
Busia Foundation Fan Club in conjunction with BFI and Ghana Education Service selects students from various schools in the Wenchi Municipality to participate in a competition involving knowledge of Dr. Busia’s life, and current affairs. Zealous youths rush to Busia family houses to quiz Busia family members who have arrived in wenchi on mass to support the various Memorial events.

AUGUST 30TH FINALS OF BUSIA FOUNDATION CLUB FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Four local teams selected from different communities compete for the BFC Football Trophy.  Hospital Group Team (comprised of young doctors and physicians). Abrempon Keep-fit Club (comprised mainly of young judiciary from the Wenchi courts). Adehye Keep-Fit Club (comprised of the youth of Wenchi).  And of course the newly formed Busia Foundation Club members!

AUGUST 31ST DR. BUSIA MEMORIAL CELEBRATION – WENCHI TOWN PARK
 The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, arrives in Wenchi and is ushered into Wenchi Park by BFC youth and a marching brass band. Hon. George Gyan Baffour, MP for Wenchi, speaks on “Why We Must Remember Busia.” The Homily is given by The Very Rev. C.K. Konadu, Bishop Wenchi Diocese. Lighthouse Chapel International Choir sings.
The Vice President gives a public address to the thousands of people gathered in the park and congratulates the days Prize Winners: The BFC Football Cup was presented to Adehye Keep-Fit Club. BFC Founder and Organizer Albert Ameyaw addresses the youth from the podium and encourages them to join BFC in a united force to better their futures and their communities.

Madam Ama Busia youngest sister of Dr. K.A. Busia and Member of Council of State, officially launches the Busia Foundation Club.

Akosua Busia, BFI President and International Filmmaker launches The Prof Docudrama DVD, which she wrote and directed and The Prof Soundtrack CD, composed by her nephew, Nii Lante Kumi-Bruce of the famed, prize-winning Benverj International Band (BIB).

Dr, Abena Busia, Professor of English at Rutgers University gives educational prizes to the first three winners of the BFC Quiz. The winners are awarded gift baskets of educational items worth $300 ,  $150 cash, and a donation of school books each term for the next three years.  The fourth runner up of the Quiz and the only female to enter the competition, was given an honorary mention, and BFC commits to supply her with books in order to encourage female education – a cause Dr. Busia was passionate about. Dr. Busia worked hard in order to send his three younger sisters to school and then college (against their father’s, wishes who deemed female education unnecessary).  Busia’s eldest sister, Nana Frema Busia, became the first girl child in Wenchi to graduate from High school and later opened the first Midwifery Hospital in Wenchi. 


Due to the already large weekly attendance of over 120 BFC youths, meetings are held at the end of Memorial Festivities to plan the opening of four more Busia Foundation Clubs in the Brong Ahafo region, in Sunyani, Subinso,  Nchiraa and Dormaa Ahenkro, in order to facilitate repeated requests from these areas.

We; Mrs. Naa Morkor Busia, Madam Ama Busia, Dr. Abena Busia, and Akosua Busia, remain committed to our financial donation to absorb the administrative costs of running Busia Foundation International. We wish to thank all those who volunteer their time, effort, expertise and financial resources to ensure the continued growth of the Foundation. Many tireless board members, members, friends, family members, and sympathizers, have spent many, many, thankless hours to keep this keep Foundation running, and for that we sincerely thank you. We look forward to another successful year of working together to keep alive Dr. Busia’s unwavering faith and commitment to God, Democracy, and the education and betterment of our youth.
“For only in giving and spending ourselves do we truly live.”
Dr. K.A. Busia.