As Ghana prepares to honour the towering legacy of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah on the 60th anniversary of his passing, a significant section of the country’s parliamentary leadership has lent its voice to the tributes immortalised in the commemorative compendium set to be launched at the upcoming remembrance service on 9th March 2025 at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Kyebi.
The event, organised under the auspices of Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio, the current Twafohene of Akyem Abuakwa, seeks to reaffirm Dr. Danquah’s immense contributions to Ghana’s democratic governance, intellectual tradition, and constitutional evolution. Leading these tributes is Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, alongside a formidable group of Members of Parliament, spanning constituencies and political traditions, who have paid glowing homage to the statesman, philosopher, and legal luminary.
In his tribute, Hon. Afenyo-Markin reflected on Dr. Danquah’s dual role as a traditional leader and a modern constitutional thinker, remarking, “As Twafohene of Akyem Abuakwa, Danquah personified his belief that traditional institutions could coexist with modern governance. He demonstrated how chiefs might serve as custodians of local accountability, tempering the centralising tendencies of the state—a vision strikingly relevant today as Ghana implements, debates, and refines decentralisation.”
His Deputy, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, echoed these sentiments, emphasising Danquah’s unwavering commitment to economic self-reliance and industrialisation, “His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of self-reliance, industrialisation, and preserving Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. Dr. Danquah strongly advocated the need for Ghana to rely on its people for development after achieving independence.”
Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South, highlighted Danquah’s vision of democracy as an inclusive and mature political process: “Dr. Danquah’s legacy transcends the political ideologies of his time. His vision was deeply rooted in the belief that the true greatness of a nation lies not in its triumphs over others, but in its ability to bring people together, embrace diverse perspectives, and build a system founded on justice and accountability. His political philosophy called for a higher standard of political maturity, in which the opposition is seen not as the enemy, but as a vital contributor to the national discourse.”
For Hon. Korkor Asante Esq., MP for Atiwa West, the lesson from Danquah’s sacrifice is one that must never be forgotten: “Danquah died in prison as a political prisoner. He died for his ideas and beliefs. His tragic death in the dungeon of Nsawam prison remains a stain on our political history. Never again, never again, should any person be imprisoned on political grounds. Never again should Ghana be made to experience such a tragic death as Danquah’s death.”
Adding his voice, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase Ayirebi, underscored Danquah’s foundational role in Ghana’s independence, lamenting attempts to obscure his contributions: “JB Danquah was a major contributor to Ghana’s independence and post-independence struggle. Despite attempts by the Political Left to water down his contribution, the facts of history outline Danquah’s part in procuring an independent Ghana and in helping build the structures of an early Ghana.”
Similarly, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, MP for Kwadaso, spoke to Danquah’s indomitable patriotism, quoting from one of his final writings in 1964: “His contribution will never be lost on us; it was indeed enormous. His commitment and dedication to the cause and direction of the country were never in doubt. From his early years until his unfortunate death, one could realise his deep sense of patriotism and passion in ensuring the emancipation and prosperity of the country. A year before his death, he wrote, ‘…Even at the age of 68 I have not given up the struggle, even though…I have been crippled by it professionally and financially…But there is more to life than merely being alive or merely free, and I am determined to bring that ‘more’ into the life of our people…’”
In a fitting tribute to Dr. Danquah’s legacy of scholarship and intellectual rigour, Hon. Davis Ansah Opoku acknowledged the ongoing efforts to honour him tangibly: “To honour his legacy, I am pleased to acknowledge the efforts of Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the immediate past First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and wife of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, nephew of J.B. Danquah, in facilitating the construction of a modern library in Bepong. This initiative serves as a fitting tribute to a man with immense intellectual contributions. The facility has yet to be commissioned, and I have formally requested that it be named after Dr. J.B. Danquah. This would immortalise his name in his birthplace and inspire future generations who walk through its doors to pursue knowledge.”
A Momentous Event to Celebrate a Timeless Legacy
The commemorative compendium, which captures sixty statements marking sixty years since Dr. Danquah’s passing, is set to be launched during the remembrance service on 9th March 2025 at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Kyebi. Under the leadership of Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio, the current Twafohene of Akyem Abuakwa, this event will stand as a solemn reaffirmation of the enduring values and principles for which Dr. Danquah lived and died.
The gathering is expected to draw an illustrious assembly of academics, legal luminaries, political leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the media, all united in a singular purpose—to honour and celebrate the life of a man whose intellectual depth, legal acumen, and unrelenting commitment to democracy shaped Ghana’s destiny.
By Gideon Kwasi Annor