The Fabrication of the Danquah-Busia Tradition in Ghana’s Political History

Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong claims the Danquah-Busia Tradition is a fabricated concept by a faction in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to counter Ashanti dominance in politics. He argues that J.B. Danquah was not part of major political movements and was sidelined by Ashantis, illustrating complexities in Ghana’s political narrative.

Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong has asserted that the concept of the Danquah-Busia Tradition does not exist in Ghanaian political history. He posits that this notion was fabricated by a faction within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to challenge the Ashanti hegemony in politics. Frimpong argues that the Akyem faction, which was not aligned with earlier political movements, created this tradition to enhance their political stature.

In an interview on Onua TV, Frimpong raised questions about the legitimacy of the Danquah-Busia Tradition, highlighting that J.B. Danquah, a key historical figure, was alive during pivotal political events. He noted, “When secession agitations started immediately after the 1951 election, around 1952, J.B. Danquah was still alive; he died in 1965. Why did the Ashantis not take him as the leader of the secessionist NLM but instead chose Baffour Akoto as the leader?”

Frimpong emphasizes that the traditionally celebrated Danquah-Busia connection is unfounded, as Danquah was not a member of the National Liberation Movement (NLM) or the United Party (UP). He argues, “There is nothing in Ghana called the Danquah-Busia Tradition; it is a lie. It was the supporters of J.B. Danquah, led by Adu-Boahen, who tricked the Ashantis.”

The historian contends that the Ashanti people never recognized J.B. Danquah as one of their own due to the UGCC’s focus on coastal independence. Frimpong stated, “If Danquah was such a significant figure, why was he not made the leader? He was not part of the UP or NLM. The Ashantis did not consider him one of them… The constitution of the UGCC stated that they sought independence for the Eastern Province… the other regions were not included.”

Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong has convincingly argued against the existence of the Danquah-Busia Tradition, asserting that it was concocted by a faction of the New Patriotic Party to undermine Ashanti political influence. His insights challenge widely held perceptions about key historical figures such as J.B. Danquah, revealing a complex landscape of Ghanaian political history that deserves careful examination. Ultimately, his arguments highlight the ongoing discourse around identity and representation in Ghana’s political landscape.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com