Joseph Kwabena Aye-Boafo

My Life, My Time & My Purpose on Earth (By Joseph Aye-Boafo)

I made my grand entrance into the world on August 29, 1970, at Korle-Bu Hospital in Accra, Ghana. My parents, Daniel Apraku and Madam Rose Akuffo, are both deceased. Mom was a real trooper, raising me at a young age, but my superhero grandma, the late Madam Charity Ayebea, stepped in to save the day.

My educational journey started at Feden Preparatory School in Kokomlemle in Accra, but when my mom immigrated to the U.S. in 1977, I moved to live with my Auntie Margaret in Laterbiokorshie, which is also a suburb in Accra. I attended St. Anthony's Preparatory School until class 5, but things got serious when I was shipped off to the tough boarding school, Akropong Presby Boys School (Salem). This place molded me, teaching me the value of hard work, independence, and integrity. It's also where I learned to speak "Salem Pidgin," earning me the nickname "Saywaytin." Now called "Odikro" by my Okuas C'87 North America (NAMers) community of friends. Great honor and nice transition if you will.

The next stop was Okuapeman School in Akropong, where I passed my O-Levels and A-Levels ( Class of 87 & 89). I was a very good student, quite an invisible legend, and popular at school. Then, it was off to New Jersey to join forces with my mother, the late Madam Rose Akuffo, in 1990. I graduated with a Bachelor's Accounting and a Master's in Accounting (with a focus on Taxation) from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in 1994 and 1998, respectively. Additionally, I received an Executive degree in management and leadership from the MIT Sloan Executive program in Boston. My secret ingredient is faith! It has been the driving force behind my journey, in happy times or darkest moments of despair. I thank my grandma, who believed in me and instilled in me that I could achieve anything if I worked hard and put God first.

I then embarked on a rollercoaster ride through the corporate world, making stops at Prudential Insurance, Lucent Technologies, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks (worked also for the company in Canada as an expat), Comcast Cable, and the US Treasury Dept-IRS. Climbing the proverbial corporate ladder, I left a trail of intellect, words of wisdom, and kindness wherever I went. I purposely left out my leadership roles and positions held both in schools and career life - it doesn't define me, how I treated you and made you feel when you were around me is what I want you to remember about me!

I'm a firm believer in attributing my life's successes to divine mercy and purpose. Those who know me can vouch for my good nature, sense of humor and the positive impact I've had on their lives. My faith, hope, and trust have always been in the Lord!

Now, my big plan was to outlive my folks, hitting a solid 77 years and seeing my son Andrew become an astronaut or whatever he pleased. But hey, God had other ideas, and I respect that. Shoutout to my rock, Selassie, my boy Andrew, my family, and friends - love you all deeply, will forever be missed. And to anyone I've rubbed the wrong way, knowingly or not, please forgive me!

As I sign off from the earth, remember, life's a trip, so take care of each other, keep praying, and never forget, life is spiritual. I must add that the grave is really jealous and greedy; like death, it takes and takes, yet never seems satisfied. Yep, death and the grave have tagged me to go in my prime.

That's My Life, My Time & My Purpose on earth. Until eternity, enjoy yourself, and keep those spirits high!

With love, Joseph Aye-Boafo