Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has called for forgiveness for Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and functionaries of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) for their inhumane treatment that led to the untimely death of Joseph Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah while in prison.
“Time is the great healer of wounds; the functionaries of the Nkrumah-led CPP and their assigns can and should be forgiven,” Okyenhene stated during his tribute at memorial service, held at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Hall in Kyebi on February 4,2024 marked the fifty-ninth anniversary of J.B. Danquah’s passing.
J.B Danquah, a statesman, pan-Africanist, author, poet, and human rights activist died under horrible circumstances in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, detained on the orders of the Kwame Nkrumah-led CPP.
“Under the imprimatur orders of the CPP leadership, Dr. Danquah was arrested on the 8th January, 1964, admitted to the Nsawam prisons condemned cells, a cell which was not suitable for a man of his condition and age. The man who had high blood pressure and suffered asthma was put in a cell where he could neither stand nor walk, fed on gari, salt and water and endured other forms of inhuman treatment till the day he collapsed and died on 4th February, 1965,” Okyenhene painfully recounted.
He added “even in his death Danquah was punished. The Nkrumah led CPP government decreed that the burial was to be held within 12 hours. His body was not to be publicly laid in state and there was to be no public mourning and crying.The District Commissioner received orders from Accra and a team of Officers and men from the Army and the Police were despatched to Kyebi to ensure compliance”
Okyenhene eulogized JB Danquah for his contributions to tradition and democracy in Ghana.
“His contribution to the consolidation of Okyeman, Akan cultural heritage, the independence struggle of our country, the defense of democracy, and the struggle against authoritarianism and arbitrariness has a unique place in the history of Ghana,” Okyenhene emphasized.
J.B. Danquah played a pivotal role in Ghana’s history, contributing to the understanding and preservation of Akan culture, heritage, and tradition.
His work, “Akan Laws and Customs – and the Akyem Abuakwa Constitution,” published in London in 1928, remains a cognitive rendition of Akan customary institutions.
The Okyenhene highlighted the sacrifices made by J.B. Danquah for Okyeman and Akan culture, leading to the creation of the important Twafo stool, where he was enstooled as Okyeman Twafohene.
In addition, Okyenhene said J.B. Danquah’s advocacy for democratic reforms and his imprisonment under the Preventive Detention Act showcased his commitment to Ghana’s sovereignty and dignity.
“May the vision of Dr. J. B. Danquah and the challenges of his times guide us all towards this goal of preserving and entrenching the culture of peacefulness, respect for personal freedom, and political pluralism enjoyed by the people of Ghana,” Okyenhene concluded.
The memorial service aimed to honor the life and legacy of J.B. Danquah is part of activities to hold final funeral rites in accordance with Akyem Abuakwa customs and traditions which state that a final funeral rite for a chief or king can only be held after the enstoolment of a successor.
After 58 years of the stool remaining vacant, Dr. J. B Danquah’s successor, Okatakyie Ababio Boakye Dankwa II has been enstooled by the Okyeman council on the 16th of December, 2023, paving way for the performance of his final funeral rite expected to be held on the 10th of February, 2024.
The Moderator of Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Most Reverend Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye in a brief sermon at the memorial service reiterated call for forgiveness by the family, Akyem Abuakwa traditional council and the political party that believed in the ideology of late JB Danquah.
He urged them to rather uphold his principles and commitment with renewed energy to fight injustice, corruption, illegal mining and other ills in society.
Present at the memorial service were President Akufo Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, former speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affair Stephen Asamoah Boateng,Finance Minister Ken Ofori -Atta, Eastern Regional Minister Seth Acheampong and host of other Ministers and government officials as well as Chiefs across the country.
Wreaths were laid on the grave of JB Danquah, and later signed a book of condolences to conclude the event.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
