It was years after “The Color Purple” released in 1985, that Akosua Busia, the actress who touched our souls as “Nettie,” was actually a real life African princess from a prominent royal African family. She hails from Accra, Ghana, West Africa and made her way to American superstardom through hard work and determination to be great, like her royal parents. As if that wasn’t already shocking enough, we’ve since learned that our girl, “Nettie,” has a sister, who’s been making major moves of her own across many continents. Scroll down to see who Akosua’s sister is, as well as the greatness their parents accomplished…
Akosua and her sister, Abena Busia, were born in Accra, Ghana, into the Yenfri Royal family in Wenchi in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Their father, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, was a royal prince, who later became the Prime Minister (the President) of Ghana, making Abena and Akosua the first kids to the first family of Ghana from 1969 to 1972. Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia was married to the Busia sisters’ mother, Naa Morkor Busia, up until the time of his passing. The former President Busia died from a heart attack in 1978 and his wife, Naa, passed away in 2010 from unknown causes.
Prior to becoming President of Ghana, Dr. Busia earned many degrees and studied at several prestigious universities. He also made history, by becoming the first African student to attend England’s infamous Oxford University in the early 1940’s.
Mr. and Mrs. Busia’s life’s work and dedication toward making Ghana a better place for their people, left a lasting impact on their children that will never be forgotten. In fact, to honor her mother on Mother’s Day 2017, Akosua posted a rare television clip of them putting in work as the first fam’ of Ghana back then. Check out the clip below…
My father, His Excellency, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, giving his inauguration speech as Head of State at Black Star Square in 1969 ~ Flashback 4 Instagram posts and see our new President, Nana, Akuffo-Addo, quote these exact words in his own Inauguration speech at Black Star Square in 2017! This footage is from the the documentary I directed: THE PROF. A MAN REMEMBERED.
Meet “Nettie’s” Sister
Now that we’ve covered who their royal parents are, let us introduce y’all to Akosua’s sister and the big moves she’s making in her career. Meet Abena Busia, the 67 year old big sister to Akosua…
Akosua Busia’s sister, Abena Bosia
Akosua Busia: “On this Mother’s Day I celebrated by being a Marshall at Rutgers’ 251st Commencement exercises. Here I am in front of the podium before the arrival of the platform party.”
Abena chose a different path than her sister: she’s an professor, writer, poet, feminist, and lecturer, as well as a diplomat and ambassador for their country, Ghana. Following in her Pops’ footsteps, Abena has also studied at several universities, including Yale and Oxford. She’s currently a professor of Literature in English and women’s/gender studies at Rutger’s University in New Jersey.
In 2017, the President of Ghana, Pres. Nana Akuffo-Addo, appointed Abena Busia as Ghana’s ambassador to Brazil. As of today, she helps to serve Ghana within several South American countries. Here is what her sis,’ Akosua, explained about that in an online tribute to Abena:
Akosua Busia’s sister, Abena
Akosua Busia: To me, she is my Beloved Sister! To the world she is the renowned professor; Dr. Abena P. A. Busia, Ghana’s Ambassador to #Brazil, concurrently accredited and overseeing 11 other countries in South America: #Argentina, #Bolivia, #Chile, #Colombia, #Ecuador, #Guyana, #Paraguay, #Peru, #Suriname, #Uruguay and #Venezuela. She is a blessing; she is #blessed 🙏🏾
In addition to her work as an educator and ambassador for Ghana, Abena is grateful for the opportunities to bring awareness to societal issues, those titles allow her:
Akosua’s sister, Abena (center), seated on a panel of speakers in the U.N.
Abena Busia: I had the privilege of moderating this distinguished panel of speakers at the UN… We thank the UN for holding this remembrance every year.
If their parents were alive today, pretty sure they would be BEYOND proud of the life accomplishments their children have made. Thanks to Akosua, Abena, and their parents for inspiring so many who will come after them.
