FILMMAKER

Akosua Busia founded “Spirit Africa Edutainment" with the expressed purpose of bringing Ghana, Africa, and most especially the West Coast of Africa, to the foreground of the International Media/Entertainment Industry.

In 1993, after U.N. troops bombed a house in Somalia, believed to be the headquarters for the warlord known as Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid, four young Ruetures journalists (including Dan Eldon, nicknamed “The Mayor of Mogadishu”) were called to investigate the situation and stoned to death by an angry mob in Mogadishu, in an incident before "The Battle of Mogadishu". Akosua was hired by Gotham Entertainment, to fly to the funerals of Dan Eldon and others of the stoned Journalists, in both Britain, and Kenya. Chosen as a gifted writer who could both capture the moment, as well as intergrate herself in order to investigate exactly what happened surrounding the attacks, Akosua recorded over 40 hours of interviews with Reuters journalists, and penned first-hand information. The incident was later chronicled in the feature film “Black Hawk Down”, directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Akosua also penned "A Sacrifice of Song"; a lyrical poem commissioned by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in conjunction with American Grammy Award singer/griot, percussionist, YoussouN’Dour, from Senegal.  In 2004 Rolling Stone described YoussouN’Dour as, in Senegal and much of Africa, “perhaps the most famous singer alive… one of the most celebrated African musicians in history.” Akosua penned the piece on Goree Island as part of the London Festival.

Akosua researched, wrote and directed, "THE PROF. A MAN REMEMBERED –- The Life, Vision, and Legacy, of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia". The Prof was screened at The International Conference Center as part of Ghana@50's Anniversary Celebrations. THE PROF also aired Nationally on both GBC and Metro TV.  The feature length docudrama also premiered in London at The Saddlers Wells Theater., aired on British Television, and screened at the Houses of Parlaiment in London. After the screening, at the Houses of Parlaiment, the docudrama was used as a tool for political discussion moderated by British MP, The Honorable Diane Abbott. With both British and Ghanaian members of Parlaiment in attendance. 

The Prof, A Man Remembered: The Life, Vision and Legacy of Dr. K. A. Busiais a moving documentary of the extraordinary scholar, statesman and man of God who rose from humble beginnings to become Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana. In a narrative composed entirely of interviews with widow Mrs Naa Morkor Busia and other family members, President J.A. Kufuor and other political colleagues, students and friends; rare documentary footage, and extracts from speeches and tributes, this film covers Dr. Busia's life and times from the moments of his birth in Wenchi, Brong Ahafo to his unexpected and sudden death in Oxford England sixty-five
years later. In between the story of his life mirrors the turbulent history of his country, the recollection of his vision inspires the people
of his country, and the recognition of his legacy becomes the foundation of the flourishing democracy of his country today.

This heartfelt tribute is written and directed by film maker daughter Akosua Busia, whose other works include the screenplay adaptation of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer prize winning novel Beloved, directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey; researcher director of feature film Ascension Day about Nat Turner who organized the first slave rebellion in US history; writer of best selling novel The Seasons of Beento Blackbird; and as actress best known as Nettie in Steven Speilberg’s feature film of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. The film is co-produced by her sister renowned poet Dr. Abena P.A. Busia, an Oxford scholar like her father, who is Professor of English, Comparative Literature and Women’s Studies, as well as Chair of Women and Gender Studies at Rutgers the State University of New Jersey.

Akosua is currently working on her documentary “Portrait of a First Lady” about her iconic yet unassuming mother, Mrs. Naa Morkor Busia, former First Lady of Ghana.