Leslie Kwabena Nyarko Gyimah, affectionately known as “Spanky” or “Okoto,” was born on April 6, 1982, to Sir. Dr. Daniel Charles Gyimah and Mrs. Rosemond Gyimah. He was the second-born child and a strong, energetic kid with a keen interest in making new friends and learning new things with each encounter.

Leslie began his basic education at St. Anthony’s School in 1988 in Letebeo Coshi. He continued his junior secondary school education at the same institution, graduating with excellent grades in 1994. This earned him the opportunity to continue his education at St. Augustine’s College in Cape Coast in 1997, where he met and formed strong bonds with people that remain strong to this day. Leslie completed St. Augustine’s College in 1999 with honors and gained admission to the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra, where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics and Computer Science with Second Class Upper Grade from 2000 to 2004.

After his undergraduate education, Leslie gained admission to the University of Wales, Swansea, in the United Kingdom in 2006, where he studied for an MSc in Management, International. He found the one-year master’s program, open to applicants from all backgrounds but primarily aimed at students who had not previously studied business and management, to be an exciting experience. He completed his master’s program in 2007.

Leslie further pursued a second master’s program at the University of Southampton in the UK, where he studied for an MSc in Development Economics and Development Policy Analysis. This program, jointly run by IDPM (School of Environment, Education and Development) and Economics (School of Social Sciences), was designed to provide training in economic theory, applied economics, and quantitative methods relevant to developing and transitional economies. During his stay at Southampton, Leslie engaged in several social activities, notably the Debate Team and African Society.

Leslie began his professional career as a client service manager with URBANHIVE Ltd, a role he occupied from May 2004 to January 2005. In 2005, Leslie, with three other friends, collaborated to create an entity called SMSGH (now Hubtel Ghana), where he served as the Co-founder & Operations Manager from May 2005 to 2011. In February 2011, Leslie left the SMSGH team to collaborate on a different project, AGILITY FINANCE GROUP, where he served as Director of Corporate Strategy from February 2011 to November 2012. Leslie was in charge of starting the Agility brand in the Ghanaian market as an efficient provider of capital to growing and established organizations for three years.

With new zeal and experience, Leslie started a new entity called OLIOS Solutions Ghana in May 2013. Olios aimed to create a brand known worldwide for conceptualizing and developing Mobile Payments Solutions and more. One of Olios Solutions’ notable achievements was the creation of the Erudite Mobile — MicroInsurance System. Leslie has always been a trailblazer, forming new concepts, partnerships, and venturing into different industries, making tremendous impacts wherever he sets his sights.

In July of 2011, Leslie Gyimah and Pearl Asante took their relationship a step further by getting married. It was a beautiful ceremony that had present acknowledging their union and dedication to each other. Their union was one of devotion and love for their lives. The two were truly soulmates, facing life’s challenges together with strength, grace, and adoration for each other. Through this union, they bore three lovely children, Afrah, Twenewaa, and Bempomaa — the lights of Leslie’s life who made him beam with pride. Leslie built a foundation of joy, courage, and values that will forever guide them through their lives.

Spanky, the name most people called him by (even his father), was the sort of person you could listen to all day and not lose interest. Leslie Kwabena Nyarko Gyimah was indeed a great pillar to both family, friends, and business partners.

On April 23rd, the Supreme Maker and our God recruited you for a new assignment in heaven. Though you are no longer among us, your presence in your advice, laughs, jokes, and support will forever remain in our hearts and minds for as long as we dwell on this earth. Until we meet again, Kwabena Nyarko Gyimah, we will do our very best to keep all we shared.

Heaven has indeed gained an angel.