[13] After completing his secondary school education in Ghana, he proceeded to the United States, where he obtained his undergraduate BSc in chemical engineering from the University of Southern California.
[14][22] He has stated that the loss of his father in 2006 was a motivating factor in his decision to move back to Ghana and pursue entrepreneurial ventures that leveraged his education and experience.
[16] In January 2023, his company Black Star Brokerage's certification to operate as a foreign exchange broker by the Bank of Ghana was renewed.
[27] In June 2021 Ghana's Ministry of Finance put out a press release defending against charges of "reckless borrowing" on social media and among sections of the Ghanaian public by stating that "any borrowing by MoF is strictly determined by the deficit target for the year as approved by parliament, the appropriation bill and maturities falling due during the year.
[30] These events occurred in the midst of various agitations by MPs of the governing New Patriotic Party demanding that the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, a cousin of President Nana Akuffo-Addo, be sacked.
[31] Subsequent to this, Adu Boahen continued to serve on the Bank of Ghana board as a director from the finance ministry for a period of time, according to the 2022 BOG report.
[32] In 2023, the Office of the Special Prosecutor reported there was no criminal activity into corruption allegations brought against Adu Boahen and so cleared him of all charges.
[34] The library, named the Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive, has as its stated aim to "inspire all scholars and students of African history to employ empirical research methods and appropriate theory to critically analyse Africa’s past and create narratives that are detailed, accurate and true", and "encourage research that recognises Africa’s ancient origins and complex civilisations; that explores Africans’ responses to colonial rule and the influence of Africans on the wider world; and that evaluates modern history so as to nurture a sense of national pride for the betterment of Ghana and the continent as a whole", among other things.