Suhum Senior High Technical School (SUTESCO) and Kibi Presbyterian College of Education in Eastern region emerged winners of the maiden edition of the J.B. Danquah Inter–Senior High Schools Quiz and Inter–Tertiary Institutions Debate Competition respectively.
The competition, organised under the auspices of the Twafohene of Akyem Abuakwa, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio, in collaboration with the Danquah Institute, was held as part of activities to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the late statesman, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah.
The event brought together selected senior high schools and two tertiary institutions in Akyem Abuakwa.
After hours of keenly contested competion for the senior high school category, SUTESCO clinched the top position conquering Abuakwa State College (ABUSCO), Ofori Panin Senior High School, and Begoro Presbyterian Senior High School.
The host, Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, outperformed the University College of Environmental and Agricultural Studies (UCAES) to win the debate competition for the tertiary category and the coveted overall award.
Chairperson of the event, Okyehemaa Her Royal Majesty Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua, described the theme of the competition, “Celebrating the Intellectual Legacy of Dr. Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah: Inspiring Scholarship, Patriotism and Constitutional Thought in a New Generation”, as timely and relevant.
She stressed the need to inculcate patriotism in the youth and encourage them to appreciate service to the nation.
“The theme reflects who J.B. Danquah truly was. He served his people and country with diligence and commitment. The youth must understand that there is pride in patriotism and inspiration in service to the nation,” she said.
A Justice of the Court of Appeal and Mawerehene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Barima Yaw Oppong Kodie, who was the special guest, urged the youth to consider law as a career option, regardless of their academic backgrounds.
“Whether you are a scientist, agriculturist or pharmacist, having some knowledge in law will always be useful. At the end of the day, the question will be: what does the law say?” he noted.
He therefore pledged to support students in Akyem Abuakwa with the desire to pursue law, promising mentorship and guidance to help nurture the next generation of legal professionals.
Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, Dr. Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, challenged the youth to appreciate Ghana’s founding fathers and embody the values they stood for, particularly individual freedom and liberty.
“One of J.B. Danquah’s strongest beliefs was individual freedom and liberty. The freedom we enjoy today, including the freedom to speak, was fought for by people like J.B. Danquah,” she said.
Head of Events and Programmes at the Office of the Twafohene, Gideon Kwasi Annor, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the competition and revealed plans to expand the celebration beyond Kyebi in subsequent comemoration.
“This is not a political event. It is about remembering the exploits of a great statesman. Going forward, we may consider hosting the competition in other regions, including the Central Region,” he disclosed.
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The event was concluded with special awards to some distinguished individuals who have kept the vision of JB Danquah alive .
They included Gloria Donkor who won the H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Award for Outstanding Advocacy and the Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio Award for Distinguished Intellectual Performance.
Agyei Benedicta received the Aberewa Dokua Award for Outstanding Female Intellectual Excellence, while Abuakwa State College (ABUSCO) won the Danquah Institute Award for the Focused Round of the J.B. Danquah Inter–Senior High School Quiz.
Im 2023, Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin elevated Barima Kwaku Dua, Ahenenanhene of Kyebi and Okyeman State, to occupy the Twafohene stool that has remained unoccupied for 58 years.
The stool was previously held by the late Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah popularly known as J.B.Danquah.
J.B Danquah, was a Ghanaian politician, scholar, lawyer, statesman, human rights actvist and traditional ruler who passed away on February 4, 1965 during his incastration at Nsawam Prisons by then Osagyefuo Dr.Kwame Nkrumah’s government.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
