Honoring JB Danquah: A Legacy of Sacrifice and Democracy in Ghana

Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, commemorated Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s contributions to Ghana’s democracy during a 60th anniversary event. Afenyo-Markin praised Danquah’s ultimate sacrifice for the nation and underscored his influence on the values enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, emphasizing Danquah’s role in shaping the country’s political and constitutional landscape.

Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has highlighted the vital contributions of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, affectionately known as JB Danquah, to Ghana’s progress. His remarks were made during a commemorative event on March 9, 2025, marking the 60th anniversary of JB Danquah’s death. Afenyo-Markin asserted that the democratic principles currently enjoyed in Ghana are a direct result of Danquah’s vision and sacrifices for the nation.

Afenyo-Markin honored JB Danquah as one of the foremost leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), emphasizing that he made the ultimate sacrifice for Ghana’s freedom and development. He remarked, “Today, we gather in solemn remembrance and profound reflection as we mark sixty (60) years since the passing of one of Ghana’s most remarkable patriots, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, who endured the ultimate sacrifice for his love for his country and the freedom of her people. His legacy is woven into the fabric of Ghana’s political, intellectual, and constitutional development.”

The Minority Leader further elaborated that the civil liberties currently protected by the 1992 Constitution were fiercely championed by JB Danquah throughout the 20th century. He noted, “Indeed, the principles of democratic accountability, free enterprise, free expression, and the rule of law, which are all today enshrined in the 4th republican constitution, are the very ones he fought for from the 1920s and died for in 1965.” Afenyo-Markin recognized Danquah’s vision as pivotal in establishing Ghana’s lasting democratic governance.

Dr. JB Danquah was born in December 1895 in Bempong and passed away on February 4, 1965, in Nsawam. Renowned as the Dean of Ghanaian Nationalist Politicians, he stood as a key opposition voice against Kwame Nkrumah. After studying law and philosophy in London, he returned to the Gold Coast in 1927 and began his legal practice. He founded the “Times of West Africa” newspaper and played an active role in advocating for constitutional reforms, becoming a significant figure in the UGCC, which aimed for Ghana’s self-governance.

Danquah faced several political challenges, including brief imprisonment after the 1948 riots, and he ran for president in 1960, though he garnered only 10% of the vote against Nkrumah. His political career was punctuated by imprisonment under the Preventive Detention Act, leading to his eventual role as President of the Ghana Bar Association and subsequent incarceration before his death. His literary contributions include essential works like “Gold Coast: Akan Laws and Customs and the Akim Abuakwa Constitution” and “The Akan Doctrine of God.”

Overall, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s enduring influence on Ghana’s democratic evolution and development remains central to the nation’s historical narrative. His dedication to constitutional reforms and advocacy for civil liberties laid the foundational principles of governance that continue to shape the country’s democracy today. The recent commemorative event by Afenyo-Markin serves as a poignant reminder of Danquah’s sacrifices for Ghana’s freedom and progress.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com