Papa David Forba was born around 1913 to Fosonkeng Zacha, a chief from Batcham, Western Region of Cameroon,  and Mama Segning. At the age of 15 Pa accompanied his father to leave Batcham and settle in Baligham, North West Region of Cameroon, following repeated disputes between his father and the paramount chief of Batcham. 

In Baligham, Papa David and his father were welcomed by the Gah and provided land in the Munongneba area, where the Fosonkengs settled and re-established their sub-chiefdom and palace within Baligham. Soon after settling in Baligham, Pa loss his mother following a very brief illness and grew up without the usual maternal figure around him.  

In the early years, Papa David established himself as a trader, trekking from Baligham through Bali Nyonga and Meta land to Calabar and Onicha in Nigeria to buy clothing materials to sell back in Cameroon. He made many friends along the way and spoke most of the languages along the trail.

With a small capital from his cross-border trade and customs crack down on their trading activities, Pa began to invest in farming, eventually establishing a coffee plantation of over 10hectres (25 acres) as well as other plantations of raffia and food crops extending over 100hectres of land occupied by the his growing family.

Papa David was the first major farmer in Baligham and with that a primary contributor to the Baligham Cooperative Union, for which he served as it’s President for many years. Over the years he also took on various representative and committee positions in the higher cooperatives such as the Santa Unions and the NWCA. Though not formally educated, he was always a favourite amongst his peers for positions of committee memberships and chair persons.

Papa first got married at the age of about 35years and subsequently brought in 7 further wives over a period of about 50years. Together they have brought up 44surving children who in turn have raised 203 grandchildren, 212 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

A devoted family man, Pa gave all his children a high standard of morals, discipline and education. All attained at least Primary education and many went far beyond. Today he has his name in nearly every corner of the globe and has himself made two legendary visits to UK, first in 1998 and in 2005.

Pa died at the age of 102, leaving behind 5surving widows and 44 children ranging from 6years to 72years.