Danquah’s death: NPP orders party flags to fly at half-mast

The leadership of the opposition New Patriotic Party has directed that party flags at the various constituency and regional offices fly at half-mast beginning today.

The directive follows the killing of an opposition Member of Parliament Joseph Boakye Danquah and the death of the party’s Western regional chairman Ben Kwaw.

In a statement signed by its acting chairman, Freddie Blay, the party urged the police to speed up investigations into the murder of the Abuakwa North MP.

"This is in honour of the memory of the late Mr. Ben Kwaw, NPP acting Western Regional Chairman, and the late Hon. Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, NPP Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, who passed away within the last couple of days.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the families of these two distinguished sons of our Great Party, and we also call on all party faithful to remain calm in these trying moments," the statement said.

Below are details of the statement by the NPP

The leadership of the New Patriotic Party hereby directs that all party flags at all regional and constituency offices across the country should be flown at half-mast, from today, February 9, 2016, to Monday, February 15, 2016.

This is in honour of the memory of the late Mr. Ben Kwaw, NPP acting Western Regional Chairman, and the late Hon. Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, NPP Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, who passed away within the last couple of days.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families of these two distinguished sons of our Great Party, and we also call on all party faithful to remain calm in these trying moments.

Regarding the murder of Hon. J.B Danquah Adu, for which the Police currently suspect foul play, it is our hope that a professional and swift investigation will be carried out, so that the perpetrators of this horrible crime will be made to face the full rigours of the law. We call on all to avoid any form of unnecessary and possibly harmful speculation at this time.

We also call on the government, in the light of a long list of such incidents in recent times, to take a critical look and revise its policies and strategies towards the growing levels of insecurity and unsolved murders in the country.

Instances of cases which have still not been resolved are as follows:

• December 5, 2014- Branch Manager of Ecobank Ghana shot at Abrepo in Kumasi

• November 12, 2015 – Vodafone marketing officer shot dead at his house in Sakumono

• November 3, 2015 - Nkwanta South DCE in the Volta Region shot dead

• September 14, 2015 - Nana Adusa Gyapong, the chief of Atwima Koforidua in the Ashanti Region gunned down by unknown assailants.

• June 21, 2014 - Paramount Chief of the Nanumba Traditional Area, Naa Dasana Andani, killed.

• March 12, 2014 - Nii Ayittey Noyatse, the Joma Mantse, shot and killed by unidentified assailants.

• November 5, 2013 - Paramount Chief of Seikwa, Nana Kwaku Dwumah Ankoana II, assassinated

• March 13, 2014 - Fennec Okyere, manager of hiplife artiste, Kwaw Kese, shot dead.

We mourn and stand together with the families of our departed patriots in this moment of shock and grief.

…Signed…

Freddie Blay