Benjamin Paapa Kofi Yankson, known as Paapa Yankson was a Ghanaian highlife singer, songwriter, and producer.
16 Facts About Paapa Yankson
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Paapa Yankson won multiple awards, including Best Composition for his song "Yaaba" at the 1997 Konkomba Awards.
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Paapa Yankson was a recipient of the Grand Medal of Ghana for his contribution to Ghanaian music.
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Benjamin Paapa Kofi Yankson was born on 22 June 1944 at Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana.
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Paapa Yankson was born into a musical family with his father, Benjamin Akono Yankson, being a trumpeter with the Apam Brass Band, and his mother Akua Doma, a singer in the Christ Little Band of the Methodist Church.
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Paapa Yankson attended Takoradi Methodist School for his primary education and proceeded to Ahantaman Secondary Commercial School, from which he graduated with a certificate in stenography.
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Paapa Yankson was the lead singer of the band during his four years with the company.
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Mann had seen Paapa Yankson perform during Paapa Yankson's mother's funeral and was impressed by his talent.
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Paapa Yankson left the band in 1993 after a successful stint and joined the Obuasi-based band Golden Nuggets.
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Paapa Yankson's move to Obuasi was influenced by the then-CEO of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, Sam Jonah.
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Paapa Yankson taught and performed in many countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany, and Holland.
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Paapa Yankson was awarded the Grand Medal of Ghana during the 2006 National Honours and Awards Ceremony by President John Agyekum Kufour, in recognition of his contribution to Ghanaian music.
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Paapa Yankson was among the first recipients of this award after the ceremony was revamped in 2006.
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Paapa Yankson won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
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In 2016 Paapa Yankson grew progressively weaker and was unable to walk.
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Paapa Yankson has died at the age of 73, after a prolonged illness, family sources have disclosed.