David Adu-Amankwah (known by his students as "Uncle Dave") is an Akan, born in Sunyani, Ghana. After receiving his elementary and secondary education at Afrisipa and Kumasi respectively, he attended University of Ghana, where he earned a B.A. (Hons.) degree in linguistics. While serving as teaching and research assistant at the Department of Linguistics after his initial graduation, he studied for his M. Phil. degree. Soon after submitting his dissertation to the University Graduate School, he got a scholarship to study for his Ph.D. at Indiana University, USA. After earning his Ph.D. degree and teaching at the University of Florida, Gainesville, for a year, he enrolled in the M.Ed. program at the Indiana University School of Education. After graduation, he joined the African Studies Program of Indiana University as faculty. His research interests have been in language, folklore, and culture, with special reference to the Akan ethnic group. He has taught local and foreign languages both at home and abroad, and published several journal articles, encyclopedia entries, and books (including Asante-Twi learners' reference grammar (2003), Wo nso ka bi: Basic Akan grammar and practice (2013), and Understanding your writing test in English: Titbits for school candidates (2015)). He has also served as examiner/evaluator (English and Akan languages) for local and foreign examination boards with great interest. He is Esther's husband, and father of Ivy, Kate, Emelia, and Chris Adu-Amankwah.
