A number of high-profiled showbiz personalities attended the one-week ceremony of the late Highlife Legend Paapa Yankson at the Keep Fit Grounds at Dansoman in Accra, last week Friday, August 4.
Nana Kwame Ampadu, AB Crentsil, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Amakye Dede, Bessa Simons, Sidiku Buari, KK Kabobo, Rex Omar, Della Hayes, Akablay, King Shabo, Diana Hopeson, Dela Botri, Dan Grahl, Akosua Agyapong, Pozo Hayes, Tomi Darling, Mike Eghan, David Dontoh, Sefa Kayi and veteran television actor, Osofo Dadzie joined hundreds of mourners to celebrate the late Yankson.
He died on Friday, July 21 in his sleep at his Dansoman residence In Accra after battling with illness for sometime at the age of 73.
‘Tena Me Nkyen,’ a duet with Paulina Oduro, ‘Wo Yere Anaa Wo Maame‘ and ‘Show Your Love‘ are some of his popular songs.
He will be buried on Saturday, October 21 at Apam in the Central Region. The funeral rites, will however will be held in Accra.
Photos of the one-week ceremony below.
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Benjamin Paapa Kofi Yankson was born on June 22, 1944 at Winneba in the Central region. His latent music flair was discovered at the funeral of a neighbor. He landed his first music contract during his mother’s funeral. And for more than 30 years Paapa Yankson has produced music that has brought life to many dead souls.
Even though both of his parents were musicians, they didn’t want him to take up singing. Instead, they wanted him to have a white collar job. His father, Benjamin Akono Yankson, was a reputable trumpeter with the Apam Brass Band while his mother Akua Doma, a trader, was a member of the Christ Little Band of the Methodist Church. According to him, anytime his mother sang while doing her house chores, he sang along with her.
He was instrumental in the projection of music bands into critical national acclaim- the Western Diamond Band, The Gold Nuggets Band and the Carousel Seven Band.
He has lectured and performed in many countries around the world including the US, Canada, Belgium, Britain, Germany, Holland, Nigeria, Benin and the Ivory Coast.
