The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has launched the 50th Anniversary, re-burial and funeral service of Dr Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah, one of Ghana’s ‘Big Six’, at Kyebi in the Eastern Region.
The ceremony, which is on the theme: "Service and Sacrifice in the birth and growth of Democratic Ghana" is to commemorate the contributions of Dr Danquah to the development of the country, and also as a Son of the Akyem Abuakwa State.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene, who launched the anniversary, described Dr Danquah as “a pathfinder, who lived his political life with truth and freedom.”
He said he was a man, who was self-sacrificing, a man, who influenced greatly the country's journey to independence. He was a lawyer, author and politician.
The Okyenhene said the anniversary, re-burial and funeral service was in line with his plans to give the beloved father, kinsman, friend and great patriot a befitting burial.
"He fought a good fight, he run the race and thus he deserved a better resting place," he added.
He said as part of the anniversary, there would be a national symposium on February 4 at the Accra International Conference Centre and on March 7, the remains of Dr Danquah would be exhumed and re-buried at Kyebi.
He explained that the occasion was not much of a festivity but a solemn one to pause and look at the 50 years journey, and expressed the hope that Ghanaians would take part in the upcoming activities in order to make the anniversary a success and memorable.
Dr J.B Danquah was born on December 21, 1895 at Bepong, Kwahu, in the Eastern Region and died on February 4, 1965 at Nsawam. He was from the royal family of Ofori Panin Fie.