Prince – Sampson Afriyie – Fontomfrom

It  goes without saying that a good vision coupled with perseverance and hope yield positive outcome in all fields of endeavor. No matter one’s situation in terms of education, poverty, ethnicity, gender etc; a goal set in life is achievable through hardworking and perseverance. As former US President, late John F. Kennedy put it “Do not think about what your country will do for you but rather what you can do for your country”. Prince-Sampson Afriyie-Fontomfrom is a man of vision and hope, working enthusiastically to promote African cultural identity using dance and drumming, education and the sale of African Products and other goods and services. He beliefs Africans and diasporans could come together and showcase their rich common heritage through education, cultural dance and drumming in the whole world.

Prince-Sampson Afriyie-Fontomfrom  was born into a royal family on July 11, 1959 at Aburi  Akwapim, Ghana. He was the 33^rd born child of 35 siblings of late Nana Bonsra Kwesi Afriyie(father) and late Mina Afaribea Kornon(mother). Due to persistent migration with his dad, Prince was sent to his uncle in 1966 for his primary or elementary school education in Wassa, Western Region-Ghana. His education was cut short or put on hold as his uncle introduced him into farming and hunting at 10 years old. Prince was one time bitten by a scorpion and also fell into a mining shaft. He bears the scars from hunting and farming. These experiences toughened Prince and proceeded to L.A. Middle School in 1976 at Awherease, Aburi-Ghana. Besides his academic exploits, he was a good goal keeper in soccer for his Middle school. As a young teenager, Prince together with other kids witnessed the visit by Prince Charles of England to Aburi botanical gardens, where he planted a tree there.

Prince attended  Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTEC) opposite Solomon Commercial (Solococo) for one year in 1977. He was part of tree planting exercise at Aburi Gardens in 1978, attended by His excellency late General Acheampong (ex head of state of Ghana). He worked with Starkist International Harbor, Tema  same year as a scale boy. He cheated death twice by drowning in the breakwaters and also accidentally locked in the cold room for hours before his timely rescue. In 1979, he was part of the Tema Student Union enforcing the controlling of prices of goods and services under the leadership of the former military government of the AFRC.

He migrated to Libya in 1983, when Ghana was facing serious economic hardships. He worked with Corithians Group Of Companies as a General Assistant and later became a Chef. He was promoted to a Head Chef for his diligence and hardworking skills. Prince returned back to Ghana in 1985 and bought his first house in Tema, Community 8 – Ghana. He got married the same year. In 1992 ,the family migrated to Verona, Italy where Prince worked as a metal mechanic, molding chairs and tables using metals. Prince is hardworking man everywhere he goes and a very good chef as well.

The family won the USA diversity lottery visa in 1996, and therefore migrated to America. Prince works two jobs in NYC to support himself and AFUS in addition to managing the organization. Prince joined major Ghanaian Associations for his rich knowledge in keeping African culture and identity no matter where you live . He believes that your cultural values and identity are spiritual that could guide you for everything you do. He witnessed several parade in New York City involving people from the Caribbean, West Indian Day Parade, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Dominican Day Parade, and Columbus Day Parade with no African representation. The various African Associations engaged themselves with funeral, parties and wedding activities to mention a few. This motivated Prince to form the “Afriyie-Fontomfrom Cultural Troupe”  in 2003 which later became known as Ghanaian Friends Of New York. This organization actively engaged itself with numerous New York City Parades,  African Cultural activities in Schools, communities and other social gatherings.

In 2007, under the leadership of Prince-Sampson Afriyie-Fontomfrom, a non-profit organization known as the African Friends Of United States(A.F.U.S. ) was formed. AFUS focuses on teaching drumming and dancing as well as after school programs. In 2009, he was recognized by the library of congress as the “Prince Of Africa”. AFUS has 12 board members and 6 administrators currently with plans to expand programs globally. A.F.U.S.  can currently boast of 48 students in the after school and the youth development programs at the Yonkers library and Y.M.C.A, New York. The City Of Yonkers has been tremendous in helping sustaining the program through their contributions for the program. A profit  organization known as the “Cultural King” has also been established by the Prince to support AFUS financially. As we could all see that Prince-Sampson Afriyie-Fontomfrom is a very hardworking man aiming at empowering the youth with knowledge and cultural values so as to be good and great future leaders. Cultural King focuses on the sale of African Cultural Products in order to support A.F.U.S. to expand globally . Prince is married with 6 children. In 2019, the prince was blessed with a new marriage and a new baby girl. May God help the Prince and all his associates for the materialization and success of all these productive ventures. Amen.