STORY: BEATRICE DEDE ASIEDU
Ghanaians and Africans living home and abroad have been urged to promote and give value to their culture in all endeavours of life.
Prince Sampson Oheneba Afriyie Fontomfrom (a.k.a Prince Sampson), founder of the African Friends of the United States Inc. (AFUS), formerly Ghanaian Friends of United States, a non-profitable charity organization, made the call in an exclusive interview with Today in

According to him, when African culture is promoted and valued, it will help in diverse ways to educate fellow American brothers and sisters who do not know the true history and culture of Africa.
The Ghanaian diasporan who has lived in America for over a decade now disclosed that the AFUS was formed about seven years ago with the aim of educating Africans living in America about the importance of African culture.
Mr Afriyie Fontomfrom, who is also called by many as ‘THE PRINCE OF AFRICA,’ indicated that the motive behind the establishment of AFUS is to portray African culture in the Diaspora and also provide humanitarian support to his African brothers and sisters back home through HIV/AIDS prevention programmes, soil conservation and water treatment programmes and economic development programmes in Africa.
“Although I am not a king or chief of any town here in Ghana, I was the leader of a cultural troupe and thought it wise to form this organization to portray African culture in the US and also render humanitarian support to Africans,” he told Today.
He however revealed that he does not fall under any stool name in Ghana but he was the son of the late Nana Bonsrah Kwasi Afriyie, Mmrantehene of Akuapem-Aburi and later a chief of Akuapem-Aburi Ahwerase in the Eastern region of Ghana.
Mr Afriyie Fontomfrom indicated that through his initiative he has been able to present Ghanaian culture and history in several formats which include a video on the AFUS website, books on Ghanaian culture and history, cultural performances and through events and educational forums sponsored by AFUS and his Fontomfrom Cultural Troupe of drummers and dancers.
He continued that the ‘Prince of Africa’ video which was produced by his organisation depicts how a prince is welcomed when coming home to Africa from America.
“The Prince of Africa video provides insight into the importance of African culture and cultural groups and its roles in my life and the organization.
…It also shows how the Fontomfrom cultural troupe has performed traditional drumming and dancing to the admiration and appreciation of American audience to enhance their knowledge in African traditions by demonstrating various dances from many cultures in Africa and explaining the meaning to them,” he told Today.
Mr Afriyie Fontomfrom hinted that he was coming up with an event that will be marked annually to celebrate African culture and promote development on the continent.
“This annual event will be known as Africa Day Parade or the African Continent Day Parade which is aimed at celebrating the cultural and economic development and business growth in Africa,” Mr Afriyie Fontomfrom explained.
He noted that AFUS also hopes to establish a kingdom which will be known as the Afriyie Fontomfrom Kingdom.
He said this kingdom will comprise schools, hospitals, cultural centres, Kwame Nkrumah museum of Africa in Ghana and the organisation’s headquarters.
He said there will be fundraising for all these initiatives and further advised Ghanaians living abroad to give values to their culture since Ghanaian culture has a lot to offer.