His Story
Biography of the Late
David Boa Essilfie
1st January 1942 — 12th July 2026
Early Life
Mr David Boa Essilfie (Yaw Nkrumah), affectionately called “Dada Last,” “Uncle David,” and, especially in his hometown, “Danaase,” was born on 1st January 1942 at Denkyira Akropong. He was the ninth and last-born child of the late Kwaku Ayerakwa of the Asakyiri family of Denkyira Akropong and Maame Abena Adwo of the Ekuona Clan of Denkyira Kyekyewere, both of blessed memory.
Born into a Christian family, David began his education at the Methodist School at Denkyira Akropong before moving to Cape Coast, where he stayed with his eldest brother, Albert Essilfie, of blessed memory. He completed his Ordinary Level education at Ghana National College, Cape Coast, and his Advanced Level education at Ghana Secondary School, Tamale.
The Scholarship That Shaped a Career
After teaching briefly at O’Reilly Secondary School, his academic ability earned him a government scholarship to study electrical engineering in Europe (Czechoslovakia & Germany) — part of Ghana’s drive to develop the engineering expertise required for its expanding electricity infrastructure, and the beginning of a distinguished career of more than thirty-five years devoted to bringing electricity to industries, communities and households across Ghana and beyond.
A Distinguished Engineering Career
After further professional training with Vereinigte Elektrizitätswerke (VEW) in Dortmund, Germany, David returned home and joined the Electricity Corporation of Ghana (ECG) in 1976 as an Electrical Engineer in its Planning and Development Department. He later served as Chief Engineer at Afridec Company Limited in Accra before joining the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) in Tema in March 1980, where he rose to Senior Electrical Engineer and served with distinction for thirteen years.
In 1993, David returned to ECG, serving as a Regional Engineer for the Ashanti Region, Regional Director for the Accra-West Region, Divisional Manager for Maintenance at Head Office and, from 2000 to 2002, Regional Director for the Western Region — leadership roles in which he combined engineering excellence with responsibility for people, operations and service to communities across the country.
Consultancy and Service Beyond Retirement
Retirement from ECG in 2002 did not end David’s contribution to his profession. He established DBE Consult Ltd, serving first as Chief Consultant and later as Managing Director. From 2003 to 2009 he was a consultant to the Ministry of Energy under the Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP), and from 2009 he supervised cross-border projects that extended electricity supply from Ghana to communities in Togo under the West Africa Power Pool.
He later served as Chief Project Manager for Reany Company Ltd, and remained committed to his profession through membership of the Ghana Institute of Engineers (GhIE), the Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
The Man Behind the Engineer
As impressive as David’s professional accomplishments were, those who knew him personally remember a man whose greatest impact could not be measured in engineering projects. He was humble, warm, generous, sociable, disciplined and deeply principled, relating easily with people of every age and status.
He maintained a close relationship with his extended family and the communities of Akropong and Kyekyewere, travelling home whenever his work and, later, his health permitted, and considering the joys and sorrows of his extended family and community as his own.
How He Became “Daa n’ase”
His arrival in Akropong was often a memorable occasion, especially for the children who, knowing his generous nature, would excitedly follow his car whenever he arrived. Dada Last would get down, share gifts and join them in singing:
“Daa n’ase, Daa n’ase, da Onyame ase.”
Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks to God.
With time, even the older members of the community joined the chorus, and what began as a joyful routine earned him the affectionate name “Daa n’ase” — a name that captured his generosity, his gratitude to God and the joy he brought to those around him.
A Generosity Without Limits
That generosity knew no limits: the elderly were remembered as readily as the children, and he gave freely to relatives, friends and the wider community — offering not only material gifts but something more enduring still: his time, counsel and guidance, given with his perpetual smile, warmth and good humour.
A Man of Faith
David’s Christian faith remained a constant throughout his life. Born into a Methodist family, he worshipped alongside his parents and siblings from childhood and remained deeply committed to his faith throughout his adult life. He was a devoted member of the Immanuel Methodist Church from its inception, where he belonged to the Jordan and Mt Sinai Bible Class and the Men’s Fellowship.
He also served as a Patron of the Susanna Wesley Mission Auxiliary (SUWMA) at Wesley Methodist Church, Dunkwa-on-Offin, as well as at the Connexional level of the Methodist Church Ghana, generously offering his support, encouragement and resources. Throughout his life he remained deeply conscious of his Maker and grateful for God’s grace, and his faith was reflected in his values, generosity and relationships with others.
Service to the Church
His commitment to the Church extended beyond SUWMA. He was also a Patron of the Wesley Methodist Church Choir, Dunkwa-on-Offin, and served for several years as Chairman of the Harvest Committee of the Methodist Church at Denkyira Akropong. Through these various roles, he gave generously of his time, resources and service to support the work and growth of the Church.
Husband, Father, Grandfather & Mentor
Beyond his public and professional life, David was a devoted family man — a loving husband to Mrs Christiana Boa-Essilfie, with whom he built a home and family founded on love, discipline, faith, hard work and mutual commitment; a proud father to his son, Kofi Ayerakwa Boa-Essilfie, and his daughters, Abena Essilfie Lartey and Adwoa Essilfia Ofosu, to whom he was not only a father but also a teacher, counsellor and example; and an equally proud grandfather to Emily, Nana Kofi, Emmanuel, Effe, Emil, Elaina and Ethan.
His fatherly influence extended far beyond his household: many relatives and younger people benefited from his counsel, generosity and encouragement.
A Life of Service and Gratitude
David’s life was one of service — to his family, his profession, his Church, his community and his country.
He will be remembered for the discipline with which he lived, the generosity with which he gave, the principles he upheld, the humour and warmth he brought into gatherings, the guidance he freely offered, the faith that sustained him and the unmistakable smile with which he welcomed people.
Home Call
On 12th July 2026, Mr David Boa Essilfie passed away at the age of 84, bringing to a close an earthly journey that began on 1st January 1942.
His passing leaves a profound void in his family and among the many whose lives he touched, yet also deep gratitude for the privilege of having shared in his life.
The children who once ran after his car singing “Daa n’ase, da Onyame ase” captured, perhaps unknowingly, the spirit with which his life can now be remembered:
Give thanks. Give thanks to God.