Samuel Saffo Darko Sr.

Samuel Saffo Darko was born on June 29th, 1945 at Asene, Akim Oda in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Sam was the firstborn in the marriage of Mr. Joseph S. D. Darko and Beatrice Akai (a.k.a Abena Donkor) of blessed memories. Sam obtained both ordinary and advanced level education at the Oda secondary School and the Ghana National College in Cape Coast, Ghana. Sam Darko’s higher education started at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana where he obtained a B.A. degree in economics. He gained a scholarship to pursue his graduate and post-graduate studies at Howard University in Washington, DC, USA, and obtained degrees in Accounting and Corporate Finance respectively.

He lectured at the Akrokerri Teacher Training College for a couple of years and later joined the Ministry of Finance as Regional Budget Officer. He later received an appointment to join the East African Examination Council as an examiner and traveled to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. After a few years of stay in these countries, he moved to Washington, DC in the United State to pursue his career. Sam worked hard to attain his role as Principal Administrative Analyst for several years at the City of Hartford Dept. of Housing. He also worked as an underwriter, Counsellor, and a Loan officer at the same Department in various divisions for more than 20years and retired seven years ago.

His opinions were highly valued, won the respect of his peers at work and his business clients for his professionalism. He was known to be honest, firm, and fair, doing his job with integrity, and was also recognized by several organizations that praised him for his commitment to ethical practices. His quiet demeanor and sympathetic ear made him very popular and were best known for the personalized approach he took when dealing with his tax clients.

He developed a passionate interest in helping the needy, so he founded a non-profit organization called “The Darko Foundation”. His long-term goal for this Foundation/Organization was to create a fertile ground to support the mission to help our future generation, especially the underprivileged school students around the globe and in Ghana in particular who lack basic stationaries, exercise books, and textbooks to promote learning.

Sam had a keen interest in writing short stories, reading, and most importantly spending time with his loved ones. He was a gentleman with a giving and forgiving heart. He welcomed everyone to his home with a big smile and had a great sense of humor. One of his favorite quotes was “Making the World A Better Place For The Underprivileged Young Generation”. One of his short stories/articles titled: “Forgiveness“ was dedicated to his wife Sarah, children, grandchildren, entire family, and friends he dearly loved and cherished.

He was married to Sarah Gyenin-Darko for twenty-six years, lived in Hartford, Connecticut, and had five children: Ophelia Darko, Rose Darko, Edward Darko, Samuel Darko Jr., and Gifty A. Osei who are now in the USA pursuing their individual careers. Sam Darko was blessed with thirteen grandchildren who are resided in the USA.