Events

Kofi Fynn-Aikins, PhD, President, Hope For Sisi’s Kids

Bringing Hope to Kids in a Rural Community in Ghana

Kofi Fynn-Aikins is the President of Hope for Sisi’s Kids (HOSIKIDS.org), an NGO that supports a rural community elementary school in Ghana. The mission of HOSIKIDS is to enrich the lives of uninsured and underprivileged school children by providing access to basic quality education and primary healthcare. Over the past five years HOSIKIDS has partnered with the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Global program on a humanitarian mission to Ghana. The partnership includes medical teams, students and faculty members and citizens of Erie County, NY, who provide medical services and supplies, educational supplies and tutorial services to the community.

Kofi Fynn-Aikins is a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Manager who was responsible for restoring and protecting fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats in the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie watersheds. He managed the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Complex, which included five offices in four states. He provided leadership, guidance, and coordination on scientific and technical matters, as well as on community outreach and education.

In retirement, Kofi has been very active pursuing activities he’s passionate about: mentoring, and humanitarian work. As a manager in the USFWS, Kofi was actively involved in training activities at the National Conservation Training Center in WV, on leadership, community outreach and engagement, and diversity. He founded the Fynn-Aikins and Associates, to continue using the knowledge and experiences gained from these training activities to support individuals and organizations pro bono. He’s a Mentor for the National Fish and Wildlife Friends Group, an organization that works with NGOs supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System, and provides leadership support to their Board of Directors. In addition, he’s a Mentor for the Men of Merit Mentoring Program at the Erie Community College, Buffalo NY, helping to foster excellence, distinction and integrity in students, while encouraging them to stay in college, advance academically, and serve their community as they become the men they aim to be.

He’s also a member of the Board of Directors of Amherst Meals on Wheels, which helps to provide the nutritional support needed for elderly and adults with disabilities living in the Town of Amherst, NY, to maintain their independence in their home environment. In 2020 Kofi started a tour business, Center of the World Tours, which leads tours to Ghana to raise funds for his humanitarian work. He’s also a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise.

Kofi has received several recognitions for his leadership in the Great Lakes region, including, Invest in People Award; Conserving America’s Fisheries Award; Milford "Pinky" Robinson Memorial Award; Promoting Our Natural Resources Award; and Diversity Award. He holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of California, Davis; MS in Biology from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse; and BS in Fishery Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Kofi is married and has a 30-year-old daughter. His hobbies include traveling, visiting natural areas and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Kofi is also an avid tennis player, competing in the U.S. Tennis Association League in local, regional, and national tournaments. He also coached youth soccer for 26 years. Kofi enjoys music and dancing, and he plays the conga drum.