Better Africa Foundation exists to promote better life in Africa.  The Foundation actively addresses and works on the issues of the environment, human rights, medical education and treatment (especially HIV and AIDS), sports education and activities among primary and high school students, youth education and cultural exchange programs as the vehicle for involving volunteers to address these issues.

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.

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?