When Nana Rita Marley first arrived, she established the Rita Marley Foundation and set out to carry on the legacy of her late, great, husband, Bob Marley by creating  a recording studio.  It has been almost ten years in the making, but undoubtedly a labor of love rather than a labor of necessity.  Clearly removed from the clocks in other people's head, she casually tells you that she is on the works.  Deadlines nor lifelines are permitted to interrupt the natural order of her progress.  The studio is being fine tuned to soon play host to the world's most renowned entertainers, while offering West African artists, a world class studio from which to launch their works.  Already equipped with a massive back up generator, Mrs. Marley has recently installed a complete solar system, making her no more dependent on Ghana's inconsistent supply of power, rather leaving her power in the hands of Jah!

 

 

 

Though Mrs. Marley lives like a queen, she isn't so far removed that she can't mix it up with the regular peeps around her.  When she is in town, she spreads the love, employing many Rases as well as ghetto youth, who otherwise wouldn't see the light of day.  If you should come to the Marley Boutique, located just next door to the studio, and you happen to meet her, you will be surprised by her welcome smile and humble demeanour.  She obviously enjoys people and gives of herself freely.

 

In keeping with another of her passions, Mrs. Marley established a Health Care Center.  It is located in the same village as her dwelling quarters, a huge villa which occupies a corner of her 40 acres (she has horsepower in place of the mule), in the village of Konkonuru.  She plans to promote wellness through a sound practice of living.  The Center will serve as a respite to those in the village, accustomed to the harsh life of farming, malnutrition and alcohol abuse.

 

 

The center is actually very basic, with 4-6 rooms, all with the most basic furnishings.  What is impressive is the  example it sets and the alternative lifestyle it will foster. 

Though very comfortable in her own right, with properties all over the world, Nana Rita Marley has livicated a significant amount of time, energy and resources to the restoration of our Mother Africa, sharing in the glory and the perils.  Her name has not exempted her from the challenges associated with doing business in Ghana, yet she remains undeterred.  Like a lioness, she trods on, facing her suitors and would-be assailants with equal charm and candor.  She refuses to grow complacent, sitting down on her royalties, rather she puts her money where her mouth is, following the blue print and fulfilling prophecy.  Repatriation is no longer a dream to her, it is a reality.  For a woman in her senior years, she has assumed the task championed only in words by the younger psalmist.  She has to be credited for her tenacity and applauded for her stalwart stance in the Movement, which is the repatriation of Africa's children for the redemption of Africa.  Her motto is most appropriately: One Love, One Africa!