Better
Africa Foundation
A Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation for the People
of Africa
History
of the Foundation
| Better
Africa Foundation (BAF) was founded by Dr. Emmanuel Olufemi Akognon
in the summer of 1999. The organization was incorporated as a nonprofit
organization in September 2000. BAF received its approval from the
Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) corporation in November
2000. In order to serve Africa with efficiency and respect, the
board of directors made a decision to work through indigenous Africans.
Cotonou, Benin was also chosen as the headquarters of the Foundation
in Africa.
In
August 2002, the Foundation signed an accord with the government
of the Republic of Benin. The accord allows us to use Cotonou
as the base of our operation in Africa. The accord agreement also
gave us other privileges as a recognized NGO working cooperatively
with the government.
Accord
with the Country of Benin: English
or French
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|
Dr.
Emmanuel Olufemi Akognon, Founder & CEO
Dr.
Emmanuel Olufemi Akognon |
Dr.
Akognon was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He attended the Baptist Boys'
High School in Abeokuta, Western Nigeria. Emmanuel moved to British
Columbia, Canada where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Theology
from the Northwest Baptist College. Dr. Akognon moved to California
in 1977 and studied at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.
He graduated with a Master's Degree in Religious Education, Master's
in Divinity, Master's in Theology and a Doctorate in Ministry. Emmanuel
is listed in "Who's Who in Religion".
Emmanuel was, for several years, president and founding member of
the Marin City Project - a nonprofit organization created to manage
and develop the Marin City community. Emmanuel received the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1989 and 1992.
In 1994, he was selected to President Bill Clinton's Crime Bill
consultation group. In 1997, the African American Community Entrustment
Award was given to him in recognition of his work in Marin County,
the Bay Area and around the world.
Dr. Akognon has provided leadership for the Village Baptist Church
of Marin City, California, for twenty-three years. As pastor, he
has led the church in constructing and managing a twenty-five unit
senior housing complex (The Village Oduduwa Housing) in Marin City.
Dr. Akognon is married to Alfreda Marie (Small) and they have three
children: Shola (24), Joshua (20) and Shonte (16). |
Alfreda
Marie (Small) Akognon |
The
Vision of Dr. Akognon
Africa
is a neglected continent. Africa has suffered for so many years
because of the lack of support from the West. Africans in the Diaspora
must also give back to Africa. Many religious organizations have
raped Africa. They collect so much money and only about 1 to 5%
of what is raised actually goes to Africa. Many Western governments,
including the United States of America, give to governments in Africa
but the poor people, the citizens of those countries, never get
the benefits. The unfortunate thing is that most of these Western
countries know that the aid given does not reach the poor masses
but they keep giving the money. In most cases, money given to African
countries are "token" grants or loans.
My belief and philosophy is that if there is to be a change in Africa,
that change will come as a result of an attitudinal change towards
Africa. Africans in the Diaspora must stop talking about what is
wrong with Africa and start giving of themselves in order to free
Africa from political, economical and moral slavery. We know several
things are wrong with Africa but talking and complaining alone will
not solve any problem. Let us stop talking
and start acting! I call on all interested Africans
and African-Americans to help support the mission of Better Africa
Foundation. We can do it TOGETHER!
I also believe that many Western Europeans and Americans have a
moral duty to support Africa. Whenever the West has had an interest
in Africa, it has almost always been in the area of economics -
"what can we make?" I contend again that Africa has been
raped in so many ways by Western companies and governments. It is
time to help her heal. That healing process will take a long time
but it must begin with ME. What have you done lately for Africa? |
Our
Goal
|
The
goal of this organization is to secure the support of at least
one million people to support the worthy mission of Better Africa
Foundation in Africa. Will you join the one million concerned
Africans, African-Americans, Europeans,
Americans, Asians, Canadians and all concerned humans
around the globe?
Let
me know of your support. Send whatever you can to help create
a better Africa. All gifts are tax deductible.
EACH
ONE REACH ONE FOR AFRICA
This
movement, if it is to be successful, must be a grassroots movement.
If you support the mission of Better Africa Foundation, call a
friend or a neighbor and turn them on to http://www.betterafrica.org.
Encourage them to give to support this movement.
Together,
we will not fail!
|
Staff
in Africa
West African Head-Office
Better Africa Foundation
C/ 455 VEDOKO
01 BP 3283 Recette Principale
Cotonou,
Republic of Benin
West Africa
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