Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for an end to derogatory remarks being made against the late Dr. Joseph Boakye (JB) Danquah, in an attempt to marr his good name.
According to him, it is worth remembering the vital role JB Danquah played in Ghana’s political development.
This appeal comes after Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed, allegedly referred to Dr. J.B. Danquah as a “traitor” and a “CIA operative” during parliamentary proceedings on February 4, 2025.
In response, the Coalition for Youth Development in Okyeman submitted a petition to the Speaker of Parliament on March 7.
Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Remembrance Service at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Kyebi on Sunday, March 9, Akufo-Addo launched a compendium of 60 commemorative statements to honor JB Danquah’s legacy.
He emphasized Danquah’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law as a cornerstone of liberty and individual freedom, principles that continue to shape Ghanaian politics today.
“The persistent call for the rule of law to be entrenched in our body politic is the ultimate guarantee of liberty and individual freedom. Today, it stands as a central feature of Ghanaian politics, which we must never renounce. Despite JB Danquah’s immense contributions to Ghana’s development, his name continues to be embroiled in needless controversy, both in death as in life,” he said.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, condemned recent derogatory remarks made in Parliament about JB Danquah and criticized the invasion of the residence of the former Finance Minister.
He urged Ghanaians to reject hate speech and prioritize national unity over division.
“Since the 1940s, no group of people has suffered a smear campaign as enduring as that against Daddy Danquah and his people. These are individuals who have contributed immensely to public service and the betterment of our nation, yet they have been maligned beyond measure for their pure and patriotic sacrifices.
“Let us leave here today with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that democracy is not a gift handed down through history but a perpetual struggle one we must embrace with courage and resolve.
“Let us denounce hate campaigns, regardless of their targets, and put the love and dignity of Ghana and Africa above all differences. What unites us is far greater than the forces seeking to divide and weaken us,” Afenyo-Markin declared.
