J.B. Danquah remembered

Accra, Feb. 4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah of "The Big Six" should be named a compatriot saint of Ghana for the selfless and dedicated role he played in the nation's political history.

He said Dr J.B. Danquah "to be able to serve his nation with single mindedness, opted for poverty instead of a promise of unbroken run of financial successes full-time legal practice held.


"A great Patriot, who had a passion for the truth and lived his political life in the open; he spoke for the people and never benefited from his toil and I believe that makes him a saint."


The President was paying tribute to Dr J.B. Danguah's at a memorial and thanksgiving service held at the Osu Presbyterian Chapel to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death.


President Kufuor said Dr J.B. Danquah was the best Prime Minister Ghana never had and described him as the pathfinder, who blazed the trail for the country's independence and gave the name "Ghana" to the nation.


He said Dr J.B. Danquah was committed to universal human values and promoted human happiness, dignity and self-fulfilment. "Dr J.B. Danquah championed individual rights and he unceasingly urged government to treat each citizen as a human being."


President Kufuor said J.B. Danquah's vision and tradition would not die because he left behind an inspiration to help to build democracy in Ghana - a tradition that now ruled the nation.

Dr Danquah was born on December 21, 1895 to Emmanuel Yaw Boakye, a famous Basel Evangelist and one time celebrated state drummer of Okyenhene Amoako Atta and Madam Lydia Okom Korantenmaa of the royal family of Adadeentam.


In November 1921, Dr Danquah left for England to study law where he was awarded a Degree in philosophy in 1925. In London, he was the President of the Gold Coast Students' Association in 1926 and a one-time editor of the West African Students' Union's magazine.


Dr Danquah was a great patriot, who supported the Colonial regime when necessary but also criticised its policies that were not in the interest of the country.


He was committed to universal human values and promoted human happiness, dignity and self-fulfilment.


Dr Danquah championed individual rights and he unceasingly urged government to treat each citizen as a human being and a Ghanaian. His sharp criticisms of the Nkrumah Administration led to his imprisonment on January 8, 1964. He died in the condemned cell the following year.


Final funeral rites would be performed in August this year after which the works of Dr J.B. Danquah would be celebrated every year. The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps and the sympathisers of the Danquah-Busia Tradition graced the ceremony.