Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin honored Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s contributions to Ghana during a 60th-anniversary event, emphasizing his sacrifices for democracy and freedom. Danquah’s legacy significantly influenced Ghana’s political landscape and the 1992 Constitution, which embodies democratic values.
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has celebrated the significant contributions of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, known as JB Danquah, to Ghana’s progress. During a commemorative event on March 9, 2025, marking the 60th anniversary of Danquah’s passing, Afenyo-Markin noted that the democracy currently enjoyed by Ghanaians stemmed from Danquah’s visionary ideas.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that JB Danquah, a key figure in the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), made the ultimate sacrifice for Ghana. 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.” He credited Danquah’s legacy for shaping Ghana’s political, intellectual, and constitutional fabric.
The Minority Leader highlighted that the freedoms enshrined in the 1992 Constitution were a result of Danquah’s enduring fight for democratic rights. Afenyo-Markin stated, “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.”
Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah was born in December 1895 in Bempong and passed away on February 4, 1965, in Nsawam. He is regarded as one of the leading nationalist politicians in Ghana and a principal opponent to Kwame Nkrumah. Educated in law and philosophy in London, Danquah returned to establish a law office in the Gold Coast in 1927.
Throughout his career, he founded the “Times of West Africa” newspaper in 1931 and served in several capacities, including Secretary-General of the Gold Coast Youth Conference. In the 1940s, he actively pursued constitutional reforms and was elected to the Legislative Council in 1946, contributing to the establishment of the UGCC. After a turbulent political career, he faced imprisonment and passed away shortly thereafter, leaving behind significant writings on Akan laws and philosophy.
In summary, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s profound impact on Ghana’s development and democracy is being celebrated as exemplary and vital. His dedication to constitutional reform and the fight for freedom paved the way for the constitutional rights enjoyed by Ghanaians today. The remembrance of his legacy serves to inspire current and future generations in the pursuit of democratic ideals.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
