Yaw Adu Kuffour affectionately called Bro. Yaw at home, and popularly known among his peers as Papoli was born on November 24, 1966 to Samuel Kojo Adu of blessed memory and Madam Rosina Aryee.
He was the first born of his parents and the only son of his mother.
He had his primary education at St Johns Primary School, Achimota(1973-1978) and Eto Primary School, Dansoman (1978-1979). He then proceeded to Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Legon for his secondary education from 1979 to 1986.
He gained admission to the University of Ghana in 1987 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1990. After graduating from the University of Ghana he continued his education at McGill University in Montreal, Canada from 1992 to 1994 where he successfully pursued a Master’s in Business Administration, majoring in Finance.
On his return to Ghana in 1994, he started work at the Trust Bank Ltd and moved on to Ashanti Goldfields after a year. He remained at Ashanti after the merger with Anglogold till 2005.
Over this period, he held positions in corporate finance and management in their branches in Accra, London and Johannesburg. In 2005, he took up the role of Senior Financial Analyst with the Financial Technical Division of the African Development Bank in Tunis.
By dint of hard work he rose through the ranks and in 2012, became the Division Manager – Trade Finance. Under his leadership, his division was voted the best Development Bank in Trade Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2014 and 2018 by Global Trade Review and Trade Finance Global International respectively.
He remained with the African Development Bank through their move from Tunis back to Abidjan till his untimely demise on 14th April 2020.
On 11th December, 1997 Yaw got married to his former colleague at the Trust Bank, AudreyDarko-Mensah and were blessed with a daughter, his pride and joy Nana Boatemaa. Until his unfortunate demise, Yaw and his family worshipped at the Ridge Church, Spintex with true dedication to Christ. In Abidjan he worshipped at La Maison de la Destinee. He showed affection, love and compassion for the needy irrespective of one’s creed, tribe, gender or age at all times.
Yaw was a stylish gentleman, a true family man and a noble son of Ghana with infectious admiration for culture and tradition. He was well respected among his peers and seniors.
An old Akan proverb which when literally translated says “if you know how to wash your hands, you eat with elders”. Yaw learned how to wash his hands properly so his circle of good friends included a greater number of people who were much older than him.
He had a great sense of humour and had nicknames for everyone. He was humble, affable, kind-hearted, and generous to a fault. He kept in constant touch with all loved ones availing his support to all and thus touched many lives.
As a professional, his work ethic was impeccable
As a good friend, he was the one who was closer than a brother
As a brother, he was the one who doubled as a father
As an uncle, he was the mentor, the great man of wisdom, the fun uncle, the one who makes the welfare of his nieces and nephews his priority.
As a father, there are not enough words to describe the man Nana Boatemaa called Dad.
As a husband, he was everything and more. God’s perfect gift. Audrey says she was honoured to call this man her husband.
As a son, words alone cannot describe the mother and son relationship. He was the best son any mother could ask
Yaw, we celebrate your Godly legacy which will surely live on for generations to come. We salute you for your great works in our lives. We appreciate your fruitful life though you lived so short. We take solace in your relationship with the Lord and the fact that you are resting peacefully in the bosom of HIS eternal majesty so we shall meet again. Damerifa due!!!!!
