Paapa Yankson to be buried on October 21

The mortal remains of Ghanaian music legend; Benjamin Akono Kofi Yankson, popularly known as Paapa Yankson would be laid in State on Saturday, October 21, at the forecourt of the State House.

Mrs Catharine Abelema Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, at a press conference, in Accra, on Monday said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that the musician be given a state assisted burial.

She said the burial service would take place on Saturday October 21, at the State House from 0600 hours to 1800 hours. The mortal remains of Paapa Yankson would later be taken to his hometown, Apam for internment.

The thanksgiving service would take place at the Bread of Life Methodist Church on Sunday, October 22, from 0800 hours to 1230 hours, followed by a funeral reception at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club from 1330 hours to 1700 hours.    

As a recipient of the Grand Medal of Ghana from former President John Agyekum Kufour, in 2006, Paapa Yankson has been a committed musician since he began performing with the Big Sound Band of UAC, where he worked as a stenographer.

He later joined his friend and mentor C. K. Mann at the Carousel Seven Band, and then enrolled at the National Academy of Music, Winneba to pursue a Diploma in Music, after which he worked with the Garrison Education Unit, at Burma Camp as a Music Organizer.

The Music Icon later teamed up with a businessman, Ebo Coker to form the Western Diamonds Band, and also assisted business mogul Dr Sam Jonah to establish the Golden Nuggets Band.
Paapa Yankson has 15 albums to his credit.

The Minister later expressed the condolence of President Akufo-Addo to the bereaved family.
Nana Odjaanda, Abusuapenyi of Odomna Abusua, leader of the delegation, commended government for supporting the burial of their son. 

He later presented pieces of cloth for both the funeral and thanksgiving service to the Minister, to be given the President Akufo-Addo; Dr Mahammud Bawumia, Vice President; Mrs Akosua Frema Opare, the Chief of Staff and the Tourism Minister.

Source: GNA