Born to a Royal Family in Aburi-Askwapim Ghana. Aburi is the home of the Aburi Botanical
Gardens, the largest Botanical Gardens in Africa. The Prince grew up with all the characteristics, beliefs, norms and practices of a palace. His father, a Local Chief, owned a Brass Band in Aburi. That factor played a big part of the Prince’s thinking and he appreciated it greatly. A dormant healthy seed to love and showcase culture through music and dance had been nourished during his youth.
In his mid thirties the Prince migrated to Libya, Italy, and finally settled in the United States in 1996. In New York he noticed a conglomeration of all cultures. He witnessed the annual parades of Latinos, Puerto Rican, Indian, Dominican, and African American Day along with Columbus Day and St. Patricks Day. He was very distraught with the non-existence of an African version or Africa Day Parade.
The Prince also noticed that the continent of Africa, its people, its culture, its history were very often criticised and denigrated. It was this observation that fuelled his desire to establish African Friends of United States Inc. No sermon in church, no family squabbles, no disappointments could discourage him from actualising his dream of creating an international organisation in the United States that would represent the diaspora. AFUS was born.
In 2003 Prince Sampson Afriyie took the first step to establish a not for profit organization that would mirror his vision. He then imported drums and artifacts and costumes and established the Fontomfrom Cultural Troupe. His vision was to build an international organization that would lend a helping hand to needy communities in Africa, teach African culture in America, train youth to become leaders, and create a movement that would help people to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures and foster peace, love and friendship among people of different backgrounds.
A major milestone for the organisation was our presentation to the African Union at the United Nations resulting in a celebration of the first Africa Day that brought together all the major African organisations in the city of NY and had the full support of 13 African countries and the Mayor of New York City. This milestone was achieved while working from Yonkers. The Prince had the help of a dedicated board of directors who volunteered their time and expertise to help build the organisation and realise many of the goals established in the mission statement of AFUS.
Under the able leadership of Prince Sampson Afriyie Fontomfrom the African Friends of United States, Inc. will not lose its shine and has a bright future. The Prince is committed to making AFUS internationally known and respected until he ceases to breathe and will continue to provide services to the community of Yonkers and the tri-state area.
