Speaking at the launch of a compendium of commemorative statements held in Kyebi in the Eastern Region to mark the enduring legacy of Dr. JB Danquah, Akufo-Addo emphasized Danquah’s unwavering fight for the rule of law and individual freedoms.
“Danquah’s persistent pursuit for the rule of law to be entrenched in our body politic remains the ultimate guarantee of liberty and individual freedom — values that are now central features of Ghanaian politics and must never be compromised,” Akufo-Addo said.
He lamented that “despite the breadth and depth of Dr. Danquah’s contributions to Ghana’s development, his name continues to generate needless controversies, even in death as it did during his lifetime.”
The event, which attracted dignitaries from across the political divide, was attended by Nana Akufo-Addo, the Minority Leadership, and several New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwarts.
Addressing the gathering, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin underscored the need for the state to uphold justice — a principle Dr. Danquah dedicated his life to defending.
“The principles for which Danquah fought are still relevant today. Recent incidents, such as the troubling raid on a former minister’s residence, remind us of the fragile nature of our democracy. We must never allow the machinery of state power to operate beyond the bounds of justice,” Afenyo-Markin cautioned.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, also used the occasion to denounce what he termed as “malicious and mischievous ignorance” being peddled against the memory of Dr. Danquah.
“What I am saying is that he did a lot for us. But what have we done for him? He sacrificed so much, yet some people, out of malice, continue to destroy his name. We should not allow that to happen. A monument should be built in his honor at Saltpond, where he joined the struggle for independence,” the Okyenhene stated.
Dr. JB Danquah, often described as the doyen of Ghanaian politics, played a pivotal role in the nation’s independence struggle and the shaping of its constitutional democracy.
