Afia Owusu-Forfie’s ministry of music impacting communities

Last month, when US-based Ghanaian singer, composer and vocalist Afia Owusu-Forfie decided to come to Ghana, it was to join her family in honour of the memory of Nana Yere Agnes Afua Serwaa Ababio, the wife of the Chief of Kukuom, in the Ahafo Region.

However, she decided she was not only coming to mourn the woman whose marriage she described as exemplary in both her maternal and paternal families, but also to support her with her resources and talent.

At a funeral thanksgiving service held on November 24, Ms Owusu-Forfie known for “Ngosra No Bubu Nkonnua” the Twi version of an earlier album, “The Anointing Breaks The Yoke”, performed "M'aba Wo Nwunu Ase".

In an interview with The Mirror in Accra last week, she acknowledged her maternal uncle, Rev. Ahmed Kwaku Adjei for first sharing the song, originally written by the fifth chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah with her.

Ms Owusu-Forfie, also a Lead Scientist (Associate) at Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. and the founder of Coders Who Travel launched the Nana Yere Legacy project, a tech project in memory of the late wife of the chief.

On November 26 with her team from Coders Who Travel Inc., they met with the leadership and representatives of the Catholic University of Ghana at Fiapre in the Bono Region.

Ms Owusu-Forfie moderated the session that saw different experts leading presentations on topics including Artificial Intelligence, Rocking Your Profile on LinkedIn, Design Management in Agribusinesses and R Programming and its application to agribusinesses. 

She explained that Coders Who Travel Inc. would add more topics under its portfolio and develop them in detail for monthly or bi-monthly coaching sessions with students. 

“Coders Who Travel Inc. is a global non-profit organisation that provides financial and operational cover for experts in advanced countries to travel to developing countries to inspire and advance the careers of computer and mathematical programmers.

“Our first meeting with the leadership of the university was for them to be abreast of what we have to offer. Also, because of time constraints, we had to summarise some of these topics. In the months ahead, we are looking forward to sessions which go beyond just sharing knowledge but also, practical examples from the various fields,” she explained.

Over the years, Ms Owusu-Forfie has attributed the successes chalked up in her career and escape from life-challenging experiences to the Holy Spirit.

At the Catholic University of Ghana, for instance, she performed “But God”, the second track on her English album.
She said, “God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit has guided me and saved me at the brink of death. For this reason, I continue to acknowledge the God-factor through song ministrations at all events.”

At the virtual launch of her album last year, she shared her mental health struggles as a testimony to help empower people, particularly those going through different mental health conditions.

The album is available on her website, theanointingbreakstheyoke.com and music streaming platforms.

Songs on the album are Ngosra No Bubu Nkonnua, Anka NyƐ Nyame!, Ɛhann No A ƐbayƐ No YƐ Nyame, Habakuk Eti MmeƐnsa: Kanyan W'Adwuma No Wɔ YƐn BerƐ Yi Mu, Luka Eti Dunnum: Adamfo Bi Nni Hɔ KyƐn Wo Yesu and Akoa Nnso NkyƐn Ne Wura.
Others are ƐdƐn Na Memfa Nyi W'AyƐ M'Awurade?, Adom MmerƐ No Aduru!, Yesu Reba Oo!, Sankubɔni Nnwom, Mateo Eti DummeƐnsa: Otwa BerƐ No So A and Mmɔho Mmɔho Mmienu.