Info For You Lot Dr J. B. Danquah: Ghana`S Greatest Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Liberty Fighter As Well As The Doyen Of Gilded Coast (Ghana) Politics
“[I]n planning the libertation of Republic of Ghana what our wise men of the ages, from Prince Brew of Dunkwa inwards 1871 to George Alfred Grant inwards 1947, sought was non only ‘the political freedom’ inwards the hope that ‘other things’ would live added freely, but the total kingdom of modern nationhood, including fifty-fifty culture, literature as well as sports!” Dr J. B. Danquah, Ghanaian Nationalist as well as liberty fighter.
Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah, Ghana`s greatest Nationalist, Pan-Africanist as well as "The Doyen of Gold Coast (Ghana) Politics." Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Nana Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah (December 1895 – 4 Feb 1965) the human being popularly known as the "doyen of Gold Coast politics" was a Ghanaian liberty fighter, Pan-Africanist, Statesman, prolific scholar, historian, poet, journalist as well as a fellow member of Ghana`s famous "Big Six" who were the architects of Ghana`s independence. “The Big Six” were Dr. Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Messrs Edward Akuffo Addo, Emmanuel Odarkwei Obetsebi–Lamptey, William Ofori Atta as well as Ako Adjei. It is imperative to create it “The Big Seven” – including George Paa Grant, who was as well as so the backbone of the United Gold Coast Convention.
Dr Danquah was a protege of the celebrated as well as iconic God-father of West African nationalism as well as the pioneer Pan-Africanist, Joseph Ephraim Casely-Hayford. In his ain words, it was at the feet of the eminent nationalist, “Ekra Agyeman, otherwise known as Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford, that I was brought up, similar St Paul nether Gamaliel, as well as it was from Ekra Agyeman that I learned selfless politics as the sacrificing of one’s self totally for one’s ain country. I sat nether his feet from 1915 to his ain decease inwards 1930.”
The Big Six” from left to right Dr. Nkrumah, Obestsebi-Lamptey, Dr Ako-Adjei, Edward Akuffo Addo, Dr Danquah, William Ofori Atta. Founding Fathers of Ghana.
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J. B as he is affectionately known past times his supporters as well as contemporaries played a important role inwards pre- as well as post-colonial Republic of Ghana as the founder of United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), pro-independence as well as the start political political party inwards Republic of Ghana which Dr Kwame Nkrumah was at one-time a General-Secretary.
Dr Danquah was the start continental African to have a doctorate inwards law from the University of London as well as also became the start president of the West African Students' Union which was the leading African organisation involved inwards struggle against imperialism inwards Africa. Danquah became a fellow member of the Legislative Council inwards 1946 as well as actively pursued independence legislation for his country. The Watson Commission of Inquiry into the 1948 Accra riots described Dr. J.B. Danquah as the "doyen of Gold Coast politicians; the human being at the dorsum of nearly all political movements; the human being from a famous chiefly identify unit of measurement who but for accident of nascency mightiness have got been a notable principal himself." The written report went farther thus: "the human being has keen intelligence but suffers from a affliction non unknown to politicians throughout the ages as well as recognised nether the generic call of expediency."
Indeed though it could live said that he was master copy of expediency, what was as striking nearly him was his lively intelligence as well as his unending commitment to the class of liberal democracy. These were the qualities which established him firmly as advocate of a liberal democratic political tradition inwards the politics of Ghana.
Danquah was an intellectual giant of his 24-hour interval as well as earned greatest abide by from his contemporaries. He authored several ground-breaking scholarly works which include "Gold Coast: Akan Laws as well as Customs" as well as "the Akim Abuakwa Constitution (1928)", a play entitled "The Third Woman (1943)", as well as "The Akan Doctrine of God (1944)." His works are silent consulted past times students of sociology, law, cultural studies, amid others. As a journalist, Dr. Danquah was proprietor as well as editor of what is assumed to live the start daily paper inwards Ghana, which he christened [the] Times of West Africa. This was inwards 1932 [sic] as well as nether the pen-name of ‘zadig,’ he maintained a column which he used to expose corruption as well as criticize the hypocritical practices of his day.
He was a keen human being whose giant celebrity status was overshadowed solely past times Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana`s start president after wining the 1956 elections against him. In fact, if J B Danquah had won that elections Nkrumah would never have got been heard of over again inwards Republic of Ghana or exterior the shores of Ghana. Dr Danquah is credited amongst giving Ghana its name. "His historical enquiry led him to concur amongst Dr Kwame Nkrumah's proffer that on independence the Gold Coast live renamed Ghana after the early on African empire of that name".
It was Danquah who fought for the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) inwards 1947. It was Danquah who vigorously canvassed the people of Asante as well as the as well as so Northern Territories to bring together the Gold Coast Colony to travel what nosotros know today as modern Ghana. Of course, Nkrumah also did his flake past times using the 1956 Plebiscite to annex Trans Volta Togoland to travel modern 24-hour interval Volta Region of Ghana.
During J. B`s political career, he was 1 of the primary opposition leaders to Ghanaian president as well as independence leader Kwame Nkrumah. His ardent opposition to Nkrumah as well as falling afoul to the Nkrumah`s obnoxious Preventive Detention Act led to his incarceration at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison several times. Particularly, inwards Jan 8,1964, he was arrested as well as detained after Police Constable Ametewee's essay on the life of Nkrumah on the grounds of the Flagstaff House. Danquah was the lawyer for Ametewee as well as he was defendant of trying to assassinate the president, Kwame Nkrumah. On Feb 4. 1965 he suffered a take in assault as well as died inwards the condemned cells of the Nsawam Prison.
Just months before his decease at Nsawam prison, Dr Danquah wrote to President Nkrumah pleading to live released. The alphabetic lineament of May 9, 1964 began: “Dear Dr Nkrumah, I am tired of beingness inwards prison theater on preventive detention amongst no chance to create an original or whatever contribution to the progress as well as evolution of the country, as well as I hence respectfully write to beg, as well as appeal to you lot to create an monastic enjoin for my release as well as render home. I am anxious to resume my contru=ibution to the progress as well as evolution of Republic of Ghana inwards the patch of Ghanaian literature (Twi as well as English), as well as inwards Republic of Ghana Research (History as well as Culture), as well as I am anxious also to flora my married adult woman as well as children inwards a home, to develop the instruction of my children (ten of them) as well as to restore my parental domicile at Kibi (Yiadom House) to a respectable dignity, worthy of my belatedly father’s ain contribution to the progress of our country.”
The alphabetic lineament concluded, “I goal as I began. I am tired of beingness kept inwards prison theater kicking my heels, as well as doing zip worthwhile for the province of my nascency as well as love., as well as for the keen continent of Africa which was the start to give the entire globe a existent sense of savor of civilisation. My plea as well as my prayer to you, Osagyefo, is that I live released to render domicile for the next specific purposes: (1) To pursue my vocation for creative travel inwards Republic of Ghana literature; (2) To pursue my vocation for enquiry into Republic of Ghana history as well as culture; (3) To promote a domicile for my married adult woman as well as children as well as to promote the instruction of my children as befits their talents; (4) To restore my parental domicile at Kibi to a respectable dignity for occupation of the younger as well as older members of the family; (5) To pursue social as well as cultural life inwards Church as well as State; as well as (6) To practise my profession as a lawyer to obtain the wherewithal for the pursuit as well as advertisement of the higher upwardly interests.”
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the celebrated Nigerian start president averred inwards his tribute to Dr J B Danquah as a human being who paid "The Price of Leadership" inwards Republic of Ghana as well as Africa.
Many of Dr. Danquah’s admirers wrote tributes to his retention as well as I quote a few of their captions as follows:
"The Price of Leadership," – past times Dr. Nnamdi Aziiwe, old President of the Republic of Nigeria.
"The Goal you lot sought to Reach ever eluded you," – past times Prof. K.A. Busia, old Prime Minister of Ghana.
"You were a keen Nationalist," – past times Chief Obafemi Awolowo, old leader of the Action Group inwards Nigeria.
"A human being of Great Principles," – past times Bafour Osei Akoto, old Chairman of the National Liberation Movement.
"Destined to live Ghana’s un-installed President," – past times K.G. Konuah old Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
"You did non seek after personal fame or riches," – past times Sir, Robert Armitage, old Governor, Nyasaland, as well as old Financial Secretary of the Gold Coast.
'Champion of the People’s Rights," - past times Nana Akyin I, old President of Central Region House of Chiefs.
"You were the unquestioned leader," – past times Dingle Foot Q.C. Solicitor-General of the United Kingdom.
"An architect of the truthful Freedom as well as Justice," – past times Nana Kwao Fraiku III, old President of the Western Region House of Chiefs
"You set downward your life for Ghana," – past times Archie Casely – Hayford.
"Danquah: Akuafo Kanea," – past times Koi Labie (Barrister-at-Law).
"Men of your caliber are rare inwards Ghana," – past times R.S. Blay.
"You gave us the call Ghana," – past times K. Brakatu Ateku, start Treasurer of the Gold Coast Youth Conference.
"You died a martyr to the dominion of the law,' – past times Prof. L.H. Ofosu-Appiah, Director, Encyclopaedia Africana.
Last but non the least, Lance Mallalieu Q.C. said, “It was you lot who led as well as achieved Ghana’s Independence for Ghana”.
In Ghana, many opponents of UGCC or UP tradition accuse J B of beingness CIA implant that was used to disturb Nkrumah`s regime as well as that his arrests as well as detention were really legal. But the truth of the affair is J B was a liberal democrat who espouses capitalist ideas. He was a pragmatist who believed that Republic of Ghana needs "independence inside a shortest possible time," whilst Nkrumah was a radical socialist amongst rigid conviction that Republic of Ghana needed "Self-Government Now." Nkrumah had his back upwardly from Russian Federation as well as communist states as well as Danquah had his back upwardly from the West. Dr Danquah saw inwards the American or Western model the path to Ghana’s prosperity. “For evidence,” he wrote, “there is to manus the incontestable fact that the 3 keen nations which have got achieved an industrial marvel after World War II, namely Western Germany, Italy as well as Japan, did so non on a Socialistic or State Capitalist economy, but on the ground of private initiative as well as gratis enterprise, guided past times the gratis as well as intelligent manus of their respective governments.”
Danquah as well as Nkrumah`s feud,therefore, was a production of their ideological differences, to a greater extent than than personal hatred for each other. Whatever, 1 may feel, Danquah was a patriot, Nationalist as well as liberty fighter.
Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah. Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah (better known as J.B.) was born on Dec 21, 1895 at Bepong-Kwahu. His begetter was Emmanuel Yaw Boakye who was the principal province drummer of Nana Amoako Atta II, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa until he became a Christian evangelist at 40. His woman parent was Lydia Okum Korantemaa of the Royal identify unit of measurement of Adadientem close Kyebi. The twosome had 4 other children: 3 girls as well as 1 man child too J.B. Danquah. But Boakye had a son, past times an before marriage, who was fourteen years older than J.B. Danquah. This one-half blood brother was called Alexander Eugene Boakye Danquah as well as became pop as Nana Sir Ofori Atta I, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa. Nana Sir Ofori Atta I`s grand-son is British-Ghanaian born famous histrion Paul Danquah. His identify unit of measurement connections made him grow upwardly to take away the aristocratic monastic enjoin as well as this was to play a major role inwards his political life as well as work. At the historic menstruation of six, J.B, began schooling at the Basel Mission School at Kyebi as well as after continued at the Basel Mission Senior School at Begoro. On successfully passing his measure 7 examinations inwards 1912, he entered the occupation of Vidal J. Buckle, a barrister-at-law inwards Accra, as a clerk, a task which aroused his involvement inwards law.
On passing the Civil Service Examinations inwards 1914, he became a clerk at the Supreme Court of the Gold Coast. The experience acquired hither made his blood brother Nana Ofori Atta I, who had travel principal 2 years earlier, create upwardly one's psyche to appoint him as secretarial assistant of the Omanhene's Tribunal inwards Kyebi. Following the influence of his brother, J.B. was after appointed as the assistant secretarial assistant of the Conference of Paramount Chiefs of the Eastern Province which was after given statutory recognition to travel the Eastern Provincial Council of Chiefs. J.B.'s brilliance made his blood brother create upwardly one's psyche to sponsor him to Great Britain inwards 1921 to read law. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at the University of London Matriculation, he passed inwards 1922 enabling him to acquire inwards the University College of London as a philosophy student. He earned his B. A. grade inwards 1925 winning the John Stuart Mill Scholar inwards the Philosophy of Mind as well as Logic. This enabled him to acquire inwards for a Doctor of Philosophy grade which he earned inwards 2 years amongst the thesis, "The Moral End as Moral Excellence." He became the start West African to obtain the Dr. of philosophy grade from a British University. While he worked on his thesis, he entered the Inner Temple as well as was called to the Bar inwards 1926.
Danquah’s private life was total of romance. While inwards London as a pupil from 1921 to 1927, he fathered 2 sons as well as 2 daughters from 2 women, none of whom he married. In London. J.B, also took fourth dimension off his studies to participate inwards pupil politics, editing the West African Students' Union (WASU) mag as well as becoming the Union's start president.
Back domicile inwards 1927, he was offered mastership at the Prince of Wales College (Achimota College) to succeed Aggrey of Africa but he declined the offering as well as rather chose to travel into private legal practice. Alongside his legal practice, he found fourth dimension for 2 other things: first, to flora a paper as well as second, to aid found the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC). The paper he established was called the West Africa Times after renamed the Times of West Africa. The paper became the most pop Accra daily from 1931 to 1935 as it fearlessly advocated Fundamental Human Rights as well as denounced unusual domination. One of the most interesting columns inwards the paper "Women Comer" was written past times Mabel Ellen Dove, miss of Mr.Francis Dove, a barrister-at-law. J.B. Danquah married Mabel (as start wife) inwards 1933 as well as amongst her he had a son, named Vladimir. Elizabeth Vardon was his instant wife.
Dr J B Danquah standing (first from left), Nana Ofori Atta I sitting amongst his kra (soul/little boy) inwards from his him when Akyem delegation visited England inwards 1940,s
The GCYC which J.B. helped J.E. Casely-Hayford to found inwards 1929 was to projection him to travel a leading spokesman of the Youth from the early on 1930s upwardly to the advent of Nkrumah, The GCYC, as a union of youth groups inwards the country, had its origins inwards the emergence of a host of clubs, societies as well as unions inwards the 1920s as well as 1930s. The start principal aim of the grouping was to heal the interruption betwixt the chiefs as well as the intelligentsia that occurred inwards the 1920s as well as to convey those 2 groups as well as the youth together. Secondly, the GCYC was to inculcate inwards the youth the essentials of evolution as well as to telephone exchange views on such matters affecting the vital interests of the province so as to ensure rapid evolution as well as progress on salubrious lines, J.B. became the General-Secretary of the Conference inwards 1930. Other prominent members were: K. A. Korsah (later Sir). K Brakato Ateko, J.C. de Graft-Johnson. W.B. Van Lare as well as Edward Asafu-Adjaye, Under J.B., the GCYC held its start congress at Achimota College inwards Apr 1930 to utter over the Essentials inwards the Progress as well as Development of the Country, Subsequent congresses of the GCYC took identify inwards Cape Coast (1938), Kumasi (April 1939), Akim Abuakwa (1940). It was largely through the travel of the Conference that at that spot was effective mobilisation against 2 bills: the Sedition Bill which extended the Definition of sedition; as well as the Water Works Bill which sought to shift responsibleness for the cost of H2O render inwards the coastal cities from the regime to the citizens. Later a delegation made mainly of members of the GCYC as well as led past times Nana Ofori Atta I went to London to protestation against the Bills. J.B. was secretarial assistant to the delegation.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 petition drafted past times J.B. on behalf of the GCYC for presentation to the King of England protested against the 2 Bills as well as also asked for a larger number of Africans on the LEGCO. They also asked for representation on the EXECO as well as called for modification as well as improvement inwards such really of import matters as the occupation of Africans inwards the Civil Service, populace health, medical services, dispensaries as well as hospitals. The delegation, however, failed to persuade the Colonial Office as well as returned domicile disappointed. J.B., however, stayed inwards England for some fourth dimension to travel at the British Museum, looking for evidence that the main Gold Coast tribes were descendants of ancient Ghana, the medieval empire Dr. Danquah amongst colleague members of the opposition which flourished betwixt the 9th as well as thirteenth centuries. His enquiry influenced the alter of the country's call from Gold Coast to Republic of Ghana at the fourth dimension of independence. It was also largely through the travel of the GCYC, which sent a delegation to the JPCC inwards 1937, that the intelligentsia made mutual alliance amongst the chiefs as well as peopleto oppose attempts past times fourteen major firms to command prices inwards 1937.The Conference led past times J.B, also led agitation which after secured the reversal of the Government's determination to unopen downward the Esiama Rice Mills. In 1941, upon asking past times JPC, a three-man GCYC commission (J.B. Danquah. Arku Korsah as well as Kojo Thompson) prepared a 400-page draft constitution foi the Gold Coast. In this J.B. as well as his friends advocated the union of Asante Colony as well as the Northern Territories. They also advocated a key legislation of 2 houses: the JPC becoming the House of Chiefs as well as Legislative Council transformed into a Legislative Assembly. The key thought of the memorandun was having a ministerial scheme of government. In what is considered as on of his greatest diplomatic missions, J.B. inwards 1943 undertook to persuade the Asantehene as well as the Asante Confederacy Council to take away the Constitution which advocated the union of Asante as well as the Colony into a unmarried council. He also got the Asante Confederacy Council to ship a petition to the Secretary c State for the Colonies inwards 1943 on this stand.
When the Secretary of State, Oliver Stanley, visited the Gold Coast inwards the latter part of that twelvemonth (1943), he presented to him the Constitution which had bee endorsed past times the JPC, the Asante Confederacy as well as the. Municipal Members the LEGCO. As Richard Wight reports inwards his book, The Gold Coast Legislative Council, the memorandum as well as constitution took 4 hours read as well as that occasion marked "the zenith of Dr. Danquah's celebrity as the Sieves of the Gold Coast", The Secretary of State took Danquah) memorandum dorsum to London amongst a hope of responding later.
Shot of Dr. Danquah at the Supreme Coart, Accra. Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Two years after that epic performance, J.B. was on manus to prepare some other memorandum to the Secretary of State, this fourth dimension protesting against the Colonial Government's credence of the minority recommendation of the Walter Elliot Commission Dr. Danquah amongst colleague members of that Only One University the Legislative Assembly College was to live established for the states of British West Africa. He demanded a dissever University for the Gold Coast. The protestation past times Danquah as well as GCYC which was after joined past times the Achimota Council, the Central Advisory Committee of Education as well as the JPC compelled the British Government to concur to flora the University College of the Gold Coast inwards 1948.
In 1945, inwards reply to J.B.'s 1943 memorandum, the Secretary of State endorsed a novel Constitution for the Gold Coast. The Bums Constitution, provided for the representation on the LEGCO for the start fourth dimension of Asante as well as also gave the Gold Coast the start African-dominated LEGCO. Each Provincial Council was also permitted to elect 1 non-chief. Dr. J.B.Danquah, amongst the active back upwardly of his brother, Nana Ofori Atta I, was elected to correspond the Eastern Provincial Council. The Rev. C.G. Baeta, as well as so moderator of the E.P. Church, was the other non-chief who represented the Ewe department of the Eastern Provincial Council. As a legislative member, J.B. exhibited keen vogue inwards debates which gradually led to the transformation of legislative debates as a whole. His powerfulness of analysis was also formidable. He was interested inwards everything; non exactly the large fundamental issues. He pressed for various evolution projects as well as fought relentlessly for Africanisation of the Civil Service. His advocacy of the farmers' cause finally led to the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board inwards 1947. In recognition of all his contributions to the cause of farmers, a grouping of cocoa farmers' organisation as well as producers presented him amongst an illuminated commendation, calling him
Akuafo Kanea. This laurels was presented to him at Nsawam on July 13,1946. As J.B. worked inwards the LEGCO, he also sought ways to bargain amongst the to a greater extent than fundamental number of self-government. In Jan 1947, inwards conference amongst 3 friends, George Alfred Grant, a timber magnate, Robert Benjamin Blay as well as Awoonor-Williams, both Sekondi-based barristers, they conceived the thought of forming a novel motion to seek self-rule.
After months of preparations, the UGCC was formally inaugurated at Saltpond on August 4, 1947 amongst J.B. delivering the first address. At that landmark inauguration, clouded past times Clergymen, Chiefs, Professionals, lawyers, Business men, etc who were front end runners of that movement, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, made a rigid worded declaration, of which I quote, “We have got come upwardly from all the corners of this country…(to decide) how nosotros are to live governed, a novel sort of freedom, a Gold Coast liberty. We left our homes inwards Republic of Ghana as well as came downward hither to build for ourselves a newhome: There is 1 thing nosotros brought amongst us from ancient freedom. Today the security of that liberty is threatened; has been continuously threatened for 100 years; since the Bond of 1844 as well as the fourth dimension has come upwardly for a decision”.
The sole role of the Convention was ensuring that "in the shortest possible fourth dimension the administration as well as command of the Government shall travel past times into the hands of the people as well as their chiefs." To ensure that the UGCC attained its goal, it became necessary to acquire a full-time general-secretary for the party. None of the professionals on the Council of the political party were prepared to surrender their task for that duty. Ako Adjei who J.B, suggested for that post also rejected it. He inwards rum suggested Kwame Nkrumah for (he post J.B. after wrote a alphabetic lineament to Nkrumah urging him to render to take away upwardly the post. True to Ako Adjei's promises Nkrumah inside a few weeks, invigorated the UGCC. From a handful of branches inwards the Colony. UGCC began spreading throughout the province The rapid expansion of the UGCC came at a fourth dimension when Nii Kwabena Bonne III, Osu Alata Mantse. launched a countrywide motion to boycott goods of European shops, The boycott ended amongst the crossroads shooting incident of Feb 28,1948. When the riots broke out after the shooting. J.B, as well as other executive members of the UGCC who were as well as so coming together at Tarkwa, chop-chop came downward to Accra, as well as taking wages of the situation, J.B. on behalf of the UGCC sent a long cablegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies urging the recall of the Governor, the dispatch of a special commissioner, the institution of an interim regime which the council of UGCC would run as well as a Constituent Assembly. J.B. followed the cablegram amongst an address inwards the newspapers to the chiefs as well as people of the Gold Coast urging that The Hour of Liberation has struck.
Dr J B Danquah amongst Obetsebi-Lamptey, a fellow member of the "Big-Six." Two of them were imprisoned nether Nkrumah`s PDA as well as died inwards imprison.
Sensing danger, the Governor declared a province of emergency, as well as brought inwards troops from Nigeria to musical rhythm out the riot On March 13. 1948 J.B was amid leaders of the UGCC who were arrested as well as detained on the orders of the Governor. Later he as well as the others were released as well as made to appear before the government. J B. emphasised the Colonial Constitution of 1946 was outmoded as well as the Government nether it was solely a window-dressing. He also submitted a memorandum. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Basic Constitution for Ghanaians inwards reply to a asking made past times the Commission to render them amongst a draft Constitution for the Gold Coast, This provided the Commission useful insights into the political thinking as well as aspiration of the leaders of the Convention as well as formed the ground of the broad scheme for constitutional reform which the commission finally recommended. J.B's contribution to the Commission was indeed keen t and this gave him the appellation the "Doyen of Gold Coast Politics".
When the Coussey Committee on Constitutional Reform was appointed. J.B. became a fellow member as well as he signed the minority written report that "the people of the Gold Coast should live given the chance to create the supreme travail for a stand upwardly at nowadays as a self-governing province inside the Commonwealth." The Ewait Committee, which included Danquah as well as other members of the Coussey Commission undertook the task of setting upwardly a ministerial cast of regime nether the Coussey Constitution where at that spot would live eleven African Ministers each responsible for mnning a ministry building as well as each amongst an European Civil Servant to aid him.
As a outcome of the Coussey Constitution, full general elections were held on Feb 8, 1951 to fill upwardly seats inwards the Legislative Assembly. Though J.B was elected as start rural fellow member of Akyem Abuakwa on the ticket of the UGCC, his political party fared poorly against the CPR This gave J.B. a keen daze for he had, before the launching of the CPP, spearheaded the nationalist motion as well as confidently expected to inherit the drape of the colonial powerfulness when inwards due class the handover of powerfulness was accomplished. Before his ain eyes, however, he saw (what he thought was) his leadership taken over past times Nkrumah as well as his CPP which roused the consciousness of the people amongst fiery oratory. In bewilderment, J.B cried out that the elections were rigged Of course, what he failed to recognise was that a revolution had been achieved past times the Coussey Report, And dissimilar previously where he as well as his political colleagues could \ expression dignified nomination from the Provincial Council, they at nowadays had to tl motion inwards the towns as well as villages as well as solicit the back upwardly as well as votes of the , illiterate masses whom many of them viewed amongst condescension as well as £ apprehensive distaste.
Because of the poor performance of the UGCC, it was forced to merge amongst other pocket-sized parties to give creditable opposition to the CPP. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leadership struggle amid top leaders on the Republic of Ghana Congress Party (GCP) was to farther weaken the party. At the 1954 full general election. J.B. contesting on the ticket of the GCP lost past times 3,622 to 4,958 to his nephew Aaron Asante Ofori-Atta inwards the competitor for the Akyem Abuakwa Central seat.
Almost at 1 time after the elections, he received a cablegram from New York amongst tidings of the conferring on him of the start Bryony Mumford writing society to the UN. He spent 3 months at the United Nations as a result. On his render inwards Jan 1954 to Kyebi, he was made Twafohene (senior divisional principal of Akyem Abuakwa) amongst the stool call Barima Kyererwie Dankwa. He after joined the National Liberation Movement (NLM) which had beer formed patch he was inwards the USA as well as became a fellow member of the movement's Central National Executive Council. The path of violence which the NLM took to attain its principal goal of federalism made the motion unpopular especially amid the southerners who saw the motion as a tribal group. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 full general election called inwards July 1956 to determine which political party would Pb the province to independence as well as settle the number of federation, saw J.B. standing on the ticket of NLM. He lost for the instant successive fourth dimension inwards competitor for the Abuakwa North Constituency seat. He obtained 4,122 votes as against 4,671 past times Charles Emmanuel Nimo of the CPP.
Though a passionate advocate of democracy, J.B. could non convey himself t take away his defeat. He defendant the CPP candidate of rigging the elections. Wh£ he forgot was that he lost because of his elitist mental attitude as well as his ignoring the fact that, inwards a democracy, the votes of the masses were as of import amongst those of professionals alive Committee member. From that position, he continued t scrap relentlessly for abide by for human rights inwards the country. He opposed the arbitrary deportation of Alhaji Amadu Baba as well as Alhaji Othman Larde Lalemic, 2 Nigerians living inwards Kumasi, which took identify inwards 1957 as well as tried unsuccessfully to acquire the judiciary to halt them. He opposed the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) when it was passed inwards July 1958. When the PDA was used against some opposition leaders, he defended them as well as earned the battle to the Court of Appeal. His argument inwards the Re Akoto as well as Others Case (Ci\ Appeal No, 42161 of August 1961) remains to appointment a locus classicus amoi habeas corpus cases inwards the country. In 1960 J.B. was nominated as the United Party's presidential candidate to competitor the Apr 1960 elections against Nkrumah, Though he lost he won a number of unexpected votes, receiving per centum (124,623 past times 1,016,076) of the votes as well as defeating Nkrumah inwards t Volta Region. The UP, after losing the elections, went into violent contrary against the CPP, J.B. the UP's presidential candidate was as really manly inwards his attacks: "the province had been wrecked past times the regime incompetence as well as wasteful financial as well as administrative policies" he oft charged.The CPP responded past times detaining Danquah as well as some MPs Victor Owusu, Joe Appiah, S.G Antor, D.K. Afedo, the Rev. Ametowobla - on Oct 3, 1961.The immediate grounds for his detention according to the detention orders served on him ware that on September 12, 1961 amongst 2 men, Ismaila Annan as well as Atta Border, he attended a coming together at which plans for subverting the CPP Government was made. It was also alleged that through him sure traders passed £ 10,000 to the workers of Sekondi-Takoradi to have them to organise a strike against the 1961 Budget. From his Nsawam Prison, J.B. inwards his feature way, wrote several letters inwards protestation against this detention. On June 22,1962 he was released. On Jan 8,1964 he was over again arrested as well as detained after Police Constable Ametewee's essay on the life of Nkrumah on the grounds of the Flagstaff House. J.B. was alleged to have got been implicated inwards the plot to assassinate the President. In prison, his wellness deteriorated fast as well as on Feb 4. 1965 he suffered a take in assault as well as died inwards the condemned cells of the Nsawam Prison. Despite the adverse political atmosphere of the day, he was given a hero's burial at his hometown, Kibi.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Committee of Inquiry that investigated atmospheric condition inwards prisons after the 1966 coup pointed out that J.B, was ill-treated as well as intolerable atmospheric condition were imposed on him. According to the Report he was chained as well as made to slumber on the bare floor. When he roughshod sick as well as suffered from asthma, he was refused medical attention,
For J.B's relentless struggle for commonwealth as well as human rights inwards Ghana, the NLC which overthrew the CPP organised a national funeral for him as well as rehabilitated him. In 1967, the Republic of Ghana Academy of Arts as well as Sciences of which J.B. was a founding member, instituted the J.B. Danquah Memorial Lectures which are delivered annually inwards February. The NRC also honoured him past times naming a traffic intersection after him. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 monument dedicated to him was erected at the Danquah Circle on Dec 29,1990. The 350 cm high bronze statue which shows him inwards traditional stuff standing amongst his left manus resting on a pile of books clearly reveals that the human being J.B. Danquah past times his life as well as works has traversed politics as well as today stands for ideals of learning, scholarship, as well as cultural heritage.
SOURCE:http://articles.ghananation.com/articles/flagbearers-of-ghana/3016-dr-j-b-danquah-1895-1965.html
PRESIDENT AZIKIWE EULOGIZES THE LATE DR. DANQUAH
[“His Excellency, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, inwards a eulogy inwards retention of the belatedly Dr. J. B. Danquah, has said that he [i.e. Dr. Danquah] was a pioneer[ing] West African Scholar, Lawyer, Journalist, Poet as well as Fighter for human freedom, for which glorious cause he paid the supreme penalty”].
The next is the total text of Dr. Azikiwe’s eulogy: By the decease of Joseph Boakye Danquah, the globe has lost a valued ally inwards the crusade for human liberty as well as Africa has lost a keen champion of fundamental human rights.
It is non universally appreciated [as it ought to] that Dr. Danquah was belike the start West African to obtain the doctorate inwards philosophy from a British University, when his dissertation on Akan Law as well as Customs was accepted for the Ph.D. Degree past times the University of London inwards 1927-28.
As a journalist, Dr. Danquah was proprietor as well as editor of what is assumed to live the start daily paper inwards Ghana, which he christened [the] Times of West Africa. This was inwards 1932 [sic] as well as nether the pen-name of ‘zadig,’ he maintained a column which he used to expose cant as well as criticize the hypocritical practices of his day.
The Times of West Africa advocated fundamental human rights as well as denounced the domination of human being past times human being nether the regime of imperialism. Dr. Danquah constantly reminded the colonial regime that the Bond of 1844 did non transform the people of Republic of Ghana into chattels, but reserved to them their liberty until the fourth dimension when they would live able to find it.
When the Gold Coast Government introduced the Sedition Ordinance inwards 1934, Dr. Danquah was the secretarial assistant of the delegation, nether the leadership of his brother, the belatedly Nana Sir Ofori-Atta, which was sent past times the Gold Coast people to the Colonial Secretary (Lord S. Winton, as well as so Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister).
Two years later, Mr. Isaac T. A. Wallace Johnson of Sierra Leone as well as I [i.e. Dr. Azikiwe] were to create history past times beingness the start persons against whom this Law was start tested. One of the Crown Counsel who prosecuted us was the belatedly Sir Algermon Brown, who died inwards role as Chief Justice of Northern Nigeria, 10 years agone [1955?].
In the latter part of 1947, when the NCNC [ the National Congress of Nigeria as well as the Cameroons] delegation was returning from London, Dr. Danquah joined “Pa” [George] Grant as well as Mr. R. S. Blay as well as other Ghanaian patriots to give us a grand reception inwards Sekondi. Dr. Danquah as well as so informed me of what they had heard nearly a immature Ghanaian who was as well as so editing The New Africa inwards London, nether the auspices of the West African National Secretariat amongst the collaboration of Bankole Awoonor-Renner. That was when I [Nnamdi Azikiwe] assured them that this budding leader was wasting his talent inwards London as well as that his services could live of invaluable aid inwards the struggle of Republic of Ghana for a identify nether the sun. That personality happened to live Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, start President of the Republic of Ghana.
It is an irony of history that a keen pioneer of Ghanaian scholarship should pop off inwards a detention camp, barely 8 years after his province had travel gratis from unusual domination.
During my brief rest inwards Republic of Ghana (1934-37), Dr. Danquah as well as I did non frequently consider oculus to oculus politically, but nosotros were sensible as well as mature plenty to abide by each other’s right to province his sentiment as he sees fit, as well as our friendship has endured until his lamented death.
As 1 who fought side past times side amongst Dr. Danquah inwards monastic enjoin to liquidate colonialism inwards Africa, I personally regret the circumstances surrounding his death. All who honestly believe inwards human liberty would have got wished it were otherwise.
I fought against the colonial regime because, inwards spite of the stuff prosperity as well as protection guaranteed us, as colonial peoples, it denied us fundamental human rights. Consequently, my thought of independence is a province of political existence where every individual shall savor human rights nether the dominion of law. This was what I meant when I spoke of abide by for human dignity at my inauguration as the start African Governor-General of this province [i.e. Nigeria]. I am sorry that Dr. Danquah died inwards a detention camp. I want that he had been tried publicly, told what offence he was alleged to have got committed, given a fair chance to defend himself, as well as and so either discharged or punished, depending upon the fact, whether or non his innocence has been established or his guilt proved beyond whatever reasonable shadow of doubt.
I am of the considered sentiment that if independence agency the commutation of alien dominion for [with?] indigenous tyranny, as well as so those who struggled for the independence of old colonial territories have got non solely desecrated the cause of human freedom[,] but they have got betrayed their peoples.
To Mrs. Elizabeth Danquah as well as the members of the mourning families, I ship my condolences as well as those of Nigerian fighters for human freedom. If the lessons of history hateful much, as well as so the sacrifice of West Africa’s pioneer[ing] scholar, lawyer, journalist, poet, statesman as well as fighter inwards the cause of human liberty volition non live inwards vain. Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah has paid the cost of leadership. May his soul residual inwards peace”
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 argument past times the Danquah Institute
DANQUAH WAS Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 GREAT PATRIOT, THE LIE ABOUT BEING Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 CIA AGENT MUST STOP!
On Friday, Feb 11, during a electrical current affairs programme on Peace FM, a leading fellow member of the ruling National Democratic Congress repeated the posthumous smear motion that Joseph Boakye Danquah, the ‘doyen of Ghana’ as well as co-founder of Ghana’s start political party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), was a CIA spy.
To back upwardly this faux allegation, the NDC human being stated categorically that declassified CIA files of Ghana’s First Republic call Dr Danquah, as well as so the leader of the United Party (UP), the main opposition political party to Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP), as a CIA spy.
The Executive Director of the Danquah Institute called into the radio programme to right the faux data past times proverb that nowhere inwards whatever declassified CIA files of the menstruation (or whatever other period) is it recorded that J B Danquah was a CIA spy.
The side past times side day, Saturday, Feb 12, the NDC human being was on some other radio station, Citi FM, repeating the untruth but this fourth dimension pointing to a different source, a book, he claimed was written past times a old USA ambassador to Ghana, Mr Mahoney. (We have got chosen to acquire out the NDC man’s call out because the prevarication was non generated past times him but 1 that has been told over as well as over again, especially past times people on the so-called left side of Ghana’s politics, specially the NDC.
This lie, which has been repeated over the years, has been competently dealt amongst inwards an article on our website (www.danquahinstitute.org).
WHAT STARTED THE LIE?
What was the ground of this serious allegation against 1 of the greatest nationalists of the 20th century who made the ultimate sacrifice past times dying nether political detention for defending liberty as well as commonwealth inwards Ghana? Opponents of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition inwards Republic of Ghana have got inwards the in conclusion decade or so seized amongst glee as well as relish on a dubious data that came out of the book, “JFK: Ordeal inwards Africa”. This book, written past times Richard Mahoney, boy of the belatedly William Mahoney, USA Ambassador to Republic of Ghana (1962-65), inwards a paragraph mentions that Dr Danquah’s family, which at the fourth dimension included 13 subject children, allegedly received stipends from the American Embassy inwards 1961 during his start menstruation inwards jail nether the Preventive Detention Act. The number was that this was done without the knowledge of the Ambassador. It is this tertiary manus data that has been used to damnify Dr Danquah as a traitor.
The author claims that during 1 coming together amongst his father, the USA Ambassador after Dr Danquah’s release from detention, Danquah, who presumably assumed that the Ambassador was aware of the arrangement, asked Ambassador Mahoney how come upwardly the stipends that the American Embassy opted to give to his married adult woman to back upwardly the identify unit of measurement was stopped after Dr Danquah’s release! It is rather a curious query inwards logic. Supposing the stipends were beingness given to his identify unit of measurement because the Americans, touched past times the circumstances of the identify unit of measurement losing its breadwinner temporarily, decided to offering some back upwardly to a human being who was pro-American inwards the dual global politics of the Cold War era, was it non exactly logical for that back upwardly to cease after his release from detention?
Also, spies, informants or double agents normally have got their handlers. Why didn’t Danquah travel to his ‘handler’ to complain but to the Ambassador who, as it turned out, knew zip nearly the apparent arrangement? Or, are nosotros non allowed to scrutinise the logicalities of claims made past times so-called chroniclers of our history? Nowhere inwards that volume or anywhere else, for that matter, has it been alleged that Danquah personally received coin from whatever unusual powerfulness or agent.
On Jan 4, 1964 Dr Danquah was 1 time over again detained nether preventive custody. He died on February, 4, 1965, a twelvemonth before the CPP was overthrown. The 69-year-old asthmatic patient, afflicted amongst hypertension, liver complaint as well as take in attacks, was locked upwardly inwards chains as well as leg irons as well as left to pop off inwards a jail cellular telephone for condemned prisoners of nearly half dozen past times ix feet.
It must live noted that the 1964 detention took identify before the coup which was supported past times the CIA. Yet, exactly months before his decease at Nsawam prison, Dr Danquah wrote to President Nkrumah pleading to live released.
The alphabetic lineament of May 9, 1964 began: “Dear Dr Nkrumah, I am tired of beingness inwards prison theater on preventive detention amongst no chance to create an original or whatever contribution to the progress as well as evolution of the country, as well as I hence respectfully write to beg, as well as appeal to you lot to create an monastic enjoin for my release as well as render home. I am anxious to resume my contru=ibution to the progress as well as evolution of Republic of Ghana inwards the patch of Ghanaian literature (Twi as well as English), as well as inwards Republic of Ghana Research (History as well as Culture), as well as I am anxious also to flora my married adult woman as well as children inwards a home, to develop the instruction of my children (ten of them) as well as to restore my parental domicile at Kibi (Yiadom House) to a respectable dignity, worthy of my belatedly father’s ain contribution to the progress of our country.”
The alphabetic lineament concluded, “I goal as I began. I am tired of beingness kept inwards prison theater kicking my heels, as well as doing zip worthwhile for the province of my nascency as well as love., as well as for the keen continent of Africa which was the start to give the entire globe a existent sense of savor of civilisation. My plea as well as my prayer to you, Osagyefo, is that I live released to render domicile for the next specific purposes: (1) To pursue my vocation for creative travel inwards Republic of Ghana literature; (2) To pursue my vocation for enquiry into Republic of Ghana history as well as culture; (3) To promote a domicile for my married adult woman as well as children as well as to promote the instruction of my children as befits their talents; (4) To restore my parental domicile at Kibi to a respectable dignity for occupation of the younger as well as older members of the family; (5) To pursue social as well as cultural life inwards Church as well as State; as well as (6) To practise my profession as a lawyer to obtain the wherewithal for the pursuit as well as advertisement of the higher upwardly interests.”
The enquiry must live asked: as his identify unit of measurement had at this fourth dimension had to rely on his extended identify unit of measurement to survive, had the Americans at the fourth dimension stopped looking after Danquah’s family, as they allegedly did inwards 1961 during his start detention? Had he stopped beingness a spy, amongst the coup less than 2 years away? Or did the value the Americans spot on Danquah non sufficient plenty to sustain his family?
Really, what the volume of the pol boy of William Mahoney sought to portray was that the CIA used to make things without necessarily the knowledge of the political heads. The Ambassador, who was a fellow member of the Irish Gaelic circle of friends that President Kennedy appointed, according to his son, went to complain to the USA President who as well as so issued a directive which compelled CIA operatives inwards unusual nations to travel straight nether their various ambassadors.
Thus, if Danquah was a spy the novel arrangements from Washington ought non to have got fundamentally disturbed whatever existing arrangements he had amongst the CIA before 1962, if indeed it was an espionage engagement.
If indeed, at that spot was whatever such stipends to the detainee’s identify unit of measurement it mightiness have got come upwardly from the ‘heart’ of a scheme that sympathised amongst the political cause of Dr Danquah. Danquah’s life was characterised past times sacrifice. He was non rich as well as did non pop off leaving a legacy of stuff wealth. His was the ultimate self-sacrifice for country. And he paid the ultimate cost for it -- amongst his life.
The reliability of the data inwards the younger Mahoney’s has sure as shooting been interrogated. Since the author was at the stuff fourth dimension barely 10 years old, nosotros must assume that the data came to him much after from his father. This is because no declassified CIA records of the menstruation comprise whatever such reference. Indeed, nosotros would silent have got defended him fifty-fifty if CIA files were to call Danquah as a collaborator inwards efforts to oppose the Nkrumah dictatorship of the First Republic. But, would it have got been treacherous for Dr Danquah or whatever other opposition pol of that menstruation of uncompromising dictatorship to collaborate amongst whatever sympathetic unusual power? Since when has that been unpatriotic inwards the history of liberation struggles across the globe and, especially, during the Cold War era?
CHOOSING BETWEEN SOVIET-STYLE DICTATORSHIP AND WESTERN-STYLE DEMOCRACY
Dr Danquah made no hole-and-corner nearly his preference for the Western-style democratic model as well as gratis market. Nkrumah’s sympathy as well as affinity for the Soviet system, right from his pupil days, was as good known as well as documented. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 turning dot inwards the history of Nkrumah’s controversial dominion was his celebrated trip of that same year, 1961, to the Communist states of Eastern Europe as well as the Soviet Union. Already highly sympathetic to all things Soviet – he tells us inwards his autobiography, titled amongst his usual modesty ‘Ghana’, that he was [sic] “a Hegelian-Marxist, non-Denominational Christian.” The see impressed him highly amongst the efficiency of the Soviet model: province enterprises, province farms, key planning, the command economy, dominion past times the “vanguard party” – this was the moving ridge of the future, the irresistible forcefulness of history, so he thought. Ghana, the start colonial land inwards sub-Saharan Africa to escape the clutches of imperialism, was required to live inwards the forefront of that history.
So amongst considerable vigour, a systematic travail was made to transform the Ghanaian economic scheme into a replica of the Soviet model. Between 1961 as well as 1966, the economical landscape became littered amongst a multiplicity of province enterprises as well as province farms. We fifty-fifty had our ain equivalent of the ‘Gossplan’ - the Seven Year Development Plan. The province enterprises as well as farms of the Nkrumah era proved to live no to a greater extent than efficient inwards Republic of Ghana than they were inwards their province of origin. Far from beingness the moving ridge of the future, they have got travel synonymous amongst economical failure as well as have got been repudiated almost everywhere they have got been tried. Even inwards China, where the vanguard political party continues to hang on to power, the rulers have got seen the wisdom inwards reviving private holding rights as well as letting the marketplace take away an increasingly key role inwards the allotment of resources. The Chinese smash of the in conclusion 2 decades is the direct result. Deng Xiaoping – he of the “it doesn’t affair if a truthful cat is dark or white, so long as it catches mice”– non Mao Tse-Tung, is the architect of this dramatic development, which has led Cathay towards a marketplace economic scheme as well as the instant largest economic scheme inwards the globe today.
Now, permit us spot Dr Danquah’s spot during that heated menstruation of defining which path the novel land should choose. It was no hole-and-corner that Dr Danquah’s preference inwards the titanic twentieth century struggle of the Cold War was for the Western democracies, whose democratic systems of regime as well as opened upwardly societies appealed really much to his freedom-loving spirit. He was horrified past times the violent, crude, anti-democratic methods of governance inwards the closed societies of the Soviet-style states.
For example, on Apr 30, 1962, Dr Danquah, inwards a alphabetic lineament to the Clerk of Parliament stated, what he called, the “inadequacy, fatuity as well as wastefulness” of the Soviet model. He condemned the Soviet model, “which rejects religion as well as whatever sort of idealism or humanism from its materialistic interpretation of man’s long history.”
He saw the Western model to, at least, obviously have got the capacity to elevate the dignity of the bulk of the people of the West because, inwards his words, “It is clear that Socialism” does non pay “any psyche to man’s permanent motive forces or commitments – the commitment to his God, to his country, to his identify unit of measurement as well as to the dignity of human being as man.”
Beyond that, Dr Danquah saw inwards the American or Western model the path to Ghana’s prosperity. “For evidence,” he wrote, “there is to manus the incontestable fact that the 3 keen nations which have got achieved an industrial marvel after World War II, namely Western Germany, Italy as well as Japan, did so non on a Socialistic or State Capitalist economy, but on the ground of private initiative as well as gratis enterprise, guided past times the gratis as well as intelligent manus of their respective governments.”
Dr Danquah was trace of piece of work solid inwards his belief inwards the principles of liberal democracy, democratic accountability, the dominion of law, human rights, private liberties, gratis enterprise as well as social justice. He criticised the Soviet Union, Cathay as well as Republic of Cuba for showing keen deficiencies inwards allowing their people to freely exercise the higher upwardly values as well as virtues of human dignity. For the patriot that he was, he wanted Ghanaians to live freed to excel as well as live inwards accuse of the province inwards its wholeness.
He wrote, “[I]n planning the libertation of Republic of Ghana what our wise men of the ages, from Prince Brew of Dunkwa inwards 1871 to George Alfred Grant inwards 1947, sought was non only ‘the political freedom’ inwards the hope that ‘other things’ would live added freely, but the total kingdom of modern nationhood, including fifty-fifty culture, literature as well as sports!”
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 HISTORY OF SMEAR CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DANQUAH
Dr Danquah suffered smear campaigns during as well as after the struggle for independence. In fact, what inspired the higher upwardly quote is a story best told past times himself (his alphabetic lineament of 30th January, 1962 to the Speaker of the National Assembly):
“In 1949 sure 3 men, wishing to climb to the top of Republic of Ghana politics over my dead body, spread a vile motion against me that inwards asking Sir Sydney Abrahams at a tea political party inwards Lancaster House, London, at the African Conference of 1948, to come upwardly dorsum to the Gold Coast, as Republic of Ghana was as well as so called, to reorganise our sports for us, a see which led eventually to the start Gold Coast Sports Ordinance as well as the structure of the nowadays Accra Sports Stadium, I did so upon a corrupt ground at the instance of the British Government for a bribe of £25,000 for me to abandon Gold Coast politics for Gold Coast sports!
“The men who set this vile rumour inwards displace against me pointed at Sir Sydney Abrahams, a old Attorney-General of the Gold Coast Athletics Association, as the human being who brought me as well as my colleagues of the United Gold Coast Convention a bribe of £25,000 each to plow the people’s psyche from politics to sports.”
Now to appreciate how effective this smear motion was, travel on to read Danquah’s ain account: “At that fourth dimension the evil motion spread past times the 3 men was made the plank upon which the novel party, the Convention People’s Party, at nowadays the caesarian or imperialist political party of Ghana, was founded, the original leaders of the UGCC beingness those thus sought to live discredited past times the fabulous story of their having accepted British coin to ease off from politics to sports.”
Another smear motion was invented 69 days after his arrest to justify his detention of Oct 3, 1961 that unusual capitalist firms used him amongst £10,000 to bribe the workers to travel on strike against the Government’s Budget.
His words from his condemned jail cellular telephone speak of how the scheme abused this keen patriot. Danquah wrote: “It is perchance my fate that, 1 time again, fifty-fifty when I am behind prison theater bars, a similar evil motion should live started against me inwards 1961, twelve years after the first!!! In this plight I tin give notice solely telephone outcry upwardly upon the Republic of Ghana land as well as its august National Assembly to apply their uppercase psyche to the facts, to permit the truth prevail, and, as Milton said, ‘to justify the ways of God to man’... I cannot at this phase expression the land to offering me whatever thank you lot for my 34 years of single-hearted devotion to the national cause, to have got been able to give Republic of Ghana non solely the clarion telephone outcry upwardly to liberation ‘when the hr struck’, but also to have got discovered, after sixteen years of research, the glory of our ancient Republic of Ghana name... But although I make non expression whatever sort of thank you lot at nowadays for giving our country’s several tribes the basic foundation of a mutual nationhood – GHANA – of which the people start became fully witting during the March 6, 1944 nationwide centenary celebrations of the Bond of 1844, I entertain the hope that my province men -- as well as the women – too, -- volition acquire out me solitary to savor quietly my poverty inwards my ripe historic menstruation of half dozen as well as lx years, as well as non over again seek to pile grief upon grief on to the glory of my greying hairs.”
DANQUAH TO CIA AS NKRUMAH TO KGB?
It has been argued that both Nkrumah as well as Danquah, the 2 keen politicians of the time, made no hole-and-corner nearly their preferred ideologies, inwards the competitor of ideas betwixt the East as well as West as well as yet they both rightly saw themselves as patriots, whose formula for Republic of Ghana was inwards the nation’s interest.
“Sir,” Danquah told the Clerk of Parliament, “I personally consider zip traditional inwards the thought that Republic of Ghana should amongst her eyes open, or her eyes half-closed, repeat this soul-searing experiment inwards Marxist-Socialism, past times leaving Ghana’s large trace of piece of work organisation inwards the hands of unusual privately owned firms, aided as well as abetted past times a Republic of Ghana Capitalist Government inwards no way experienced inwards merchandise or business, whilst the Ghanaian himself... is to live restricted as well as confined to ‘small trade’ or ‘small business’ inwards a ‘small way’. Surely it ought to live evident that to confine or boundary the energies of a people to ‘small business’ as a full general economical policy is to sterilise instead of energise the people’s economical capacities. The role of a regime is non to block or command but to liberate its people’s energies – economic, intellectual, moral as well as spiritual.”
But, Danquah was no stooge. “The wisest solution, to my mind, is for each province to build by as well as large upon its ain foundations. Ghana’s foundations are to live found inwards what has ever made Ghanaians what they are – Ghanaists to the backbone, that is to say, they are a people remarkable for their belief inwards God, their love of country, their devotion to family, their pick of personal freedom, as well as their religion inwards humanity.”
Indeed, most political figures of the day, especially inwards the so-called Third World, were required to create a pick betwixt East as well as West. For instance, Caculama, the main preparation centre of Umkhonto nosotros Sizwe (MK) inwards the town of Malanje, Angola, was known to have got been sustained past times the KGB. MK soldiers were trained past times the KGB. Joe Slovo the chief-of-staff of the ANC Earth forces as well as Chris Hani, the Earth forces commissar, were known as devout Communists, but could these gallant ANC heroes live described as KGB spies because of their ideological belief as well as their collaborations amongst the KGB?
Back home, Soviet security personnel were known to give critical back upwardly to Nkrumah’s security. What nearly the accuse that the battle of Flagstaff House on Feb 24, 1966 involved Soviet security personnel fighting inwards defense of the Nkrumah government? Should nosotros enquiry Nkrumah’s patriotism only because the KGB mightiness have got played a role inwards Ghana’s security arrangements? In those at nowadays distant days choices were the monastic enjoin of the day.
The KGB was for many people, especially those who valued the democratic way of life as well as private freedom, a greater danger to life as well as liberty than the CIA. The shredding of the Iron Curtain inwards Eastern Europe as well as the emergence of multiparty commonwealth inwards Africa today is a vindication for Danquah as well as his choices. He has, thus, the merit of at to the lowest degree having been on the same side as the victorious forces inwards the Cold War. The KGB, similar the residual of the Soviet system, has deservedly disappeared into history.
THE CIA AND THE 1966 COUP
Reducing Danquah to a traitor fits good amongst the people who bash the coup of 1966. The coup happened 12 months after Dr Danquah died nether Nkrumah’s PDA. The biggest os of controversy is of the alleged involvement of the CIA inwards the event. It would have got been really strange, when the Cold War was at its tiptop inwards the 1960s, amongst Republic of Ghana really much inwards the forefront of African politics, if the intelligence agencies of the ‘Great Powers’ had non concerned themselves amongst the affairs of Ghana. They were all concerned, the Soviet KGB as amongst the American CIA.
The number that is of greater involvement is this: amongst a Life President of a One Party State, whose dominion was backed past times a preventive detention law that was inwards constant usage, as well as where elections had travel nonexistent, how could lawful, peaceful alter have got been effected inwards the Republic of Ghana of 1966? Regrettable as the intervention of soldiers inwards our politics became, especially because of subsequent events, the enquiry silent cannot live avoided. The Ghanaian people instinctively recognised that at that spot was no other way.
Republic of Ghana may non live worth dying for if keen nationalists similar Danquah tin give notice live posthumously dismissed amongst the prevarication of beingness branded spies of a unusual country. Try as they might, Danquah’s detractors cannot run away from 1 crucial point. Even though he never occupied whatever executive spot inwards independent Ghana, the political party as well as tradition that he fathered amongst Paa Grant, which Dombo as well as Busia helped build, remains a formidable forcefulness inwards the Ghanaian polity.
Indeed, Dr Danquah’s legacy tin give notice live seen inwards the sort of political scheme -- multiparty democracy, dominion of law, private liberty as well as gratis enterprise – which the Fourth Republican Constitution re-introduced to Republic of Ghana inwards 1992. Again, the emergence of the New Patriotic Party over the in conclusion decade as, arguably, the largest political political party inwards Ghana, is also a will to his vision as well as greatness. Danquah’s set of ideas continues to live extremely relevant to the resolution of our nation’s problems.
In his ain words, it was at the feet of the eminent nationalist, “Ekra Agyeman, otherwise known as Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford, that I was brought up, similar St Paul nether Gamaliel, as well as it was from Ekra Agyeman that I learned selfless politics as the sacrificing of one’s self totally for one’s ain country. I sat nether his feet from 1915 to his ain decease inwards 1930.”
Danquah as well as Nkrumah both have got their detractors but the respective contributions that the 2 contemporaries made to our history – Danquah inwards item to the sort of democratic civilisation growing inwards Africa as well as Nkrumah to the Pan-African dream of a united Africa which silent agitates the minds of those who seek Africa’s wellbeing -- tin give notice never live washed off past times faux propaganda. Let us hail our heroes.
This article was published past times the Danquah Institute, a think tank dedicated to the philosophy as well as works of Danquah.
source:http://www.ghanadot.com/commentary.Danquahinstitute.danquah.021411.html
Tribute to J.B Danquah
By kwesi atta sakyi
16th Jan 2013
Joseph Boakye Danquah has been described as the doyen of Ghanaian politics. This accolade was given to him past times that Watson Commission of 1948 which was set upwardly next the riots inwards the Gold Coast. Danquah as well as Busia belonged to the Dombo or Matemeho conservative as well as federalist schoolhouse of thought inwards Ghana’s political history. J.B. Danquah was an Akyem from the royal identify unit of measurement of Kyebi (Kibi). In 1921, he was sponsored past times the Abuakwa State to travel as well as read law inwards the UK. Before as well as so he had completed as well as passed his measure 7 examination. He was apprenticed to a renowned lawyer inwards Accra, where he worked for some fourth dimension before beingness assigned to the Supreme Court, as well as after to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs. In the UK, he earned his start grade from the University of London as well as upon passing amongst flight colours, he went on to earn his Phd inwards Moral Philosophy as well as Logic, the start West African to make so. Danquah was a maternal uncle of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. When Nkrumah was invited past times Ako Adjei from the UK to travel the Secretary General of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the UGCC was led past times stalwarts similar J.B. Danquah, Paa Willie or William Ofori Atta, Pa Grant as well as others similar Casely Hayford. Those were amid the intelligentsia inwards the as well as so Gold Coast. UGCC was founded inwards 1947 past times J.B. Danquah, George Alfred Grant (timber merchant), Robert Benjamin Blay as well as Awoonor Williams, a Sekondi Barrister.
Danquah’s private life was total of romance. While inwards London from 1921 to 1927, he fathered 2 sons as well as 2 daughters from 2 women, none of whom he married. When he got dorsum to the Gold Coast, he got married to the miss of a prominent lawyer. The lass’ call was Mable Dove. Later, he married his instant wife, Elizabeth Vardon. Who inwards Danquah’s spot inwards those days would non have got fallen for the ladies, or rather the ladies would non have got fallen for him? On his render to the Gold Coast inwards 1927, he was offered the post of master copy at Achimota College to succeed no less a individual than James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey. He declined the offering as well as set upwardly his ain private law practice. In those days, private chambers run past times blacks were uncommon, as well as I guess Danquah was an enterprising entrepreneur, who saw opportunities galore or a marketplace gap to exploit. Danquah was born on 21st December, 1895 at Bempong-Kwahu to Emmanuel Yaw Boakye, as well as Madam Lydia Okum Korantewaa. Danquah’s begetter was principal drummer at the palace of Nana Amoako Atta III, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa. Danquah’s elderberry sibling from some other mother, who was fourteen years older, after became Nana Sir Ofori Atta. It was he who sponsored Danquah to travel as well as study inwards the UK. On his render from London, he set upwardly an influential paper known as the Times of West Africa. He served as the Secretary of a delegation to London inwards 1934 which was to petition the Colonial Office against the introduction of the obnoxious Sedition Bill as well as the Water Bill. Those bills were meant to throttle the rights as well as freedoms of our people. Danquah served as Secretary General of the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC) from 1937 to 1947. GCYC was founded inwards 1929 past times Casely Hayford. GCYC was the forerunner of the UGCC. He was elected to the Legislative Council inwards 1946, nether the Burn’s Constitution. He fought relentlessly to convey nearly constitutional reforms. He championed the cause of farmers so much so that he was awarded a citation past times the farmers, who called him Akuafo Kanea (The Light of the farmers). Danquah helped to found the United Gold Coast Convention, which demanded self regime for the Gold Coast. The UGCC was founded on 4th August 1947 at Saltpond.
On 13th March 1948, he was arrested amongst the Big Six next the 1948 riots which had before on culminated inwards the shooting at the Crossroads, on 28th Feb 1948, of Sergeant Adjetey, close the Christianborg Castle. The ex-servicemen were on their way to the Castle to nowadays their petition when 1 colonial constabulary officeholder called Imray, ordered their shooting. One Ga Chief, Nii Kwabena Bonne III, Osu Atala Mantse, organized a boycott of all European shops as well as at that spot was looting as well as pillaging of shops across the length as well as breadth of the Gold Coast Colony. The Colony was ungovernable, as well as the Governor had to telephone outcry upwardly inwards troops from Nigeria to quell the riot. Danquah used his influence as well as tenacity to convince the Asante (Ashanti) to travel part of the coastal colony. He fiercely fought to have got the indigenization of the civil service, as well as authorisation of the legislative assembly past times African representatives. Indeed, Danquah was a truthful as well as existent patriot. His 1943 constitutional memorandum formed the ground of the 1945 Burn’s Constitution.
In 1951, he was over again elected to the Legislative Council, which was a really much privileged spot inwards those colonial days. He failed to live elected inwards the 1954 as well as 1956 elections. When he lost, he claimed the elections were rigged. In 1960, Danquah contested the presidential elections against Nkrumah inwards the Presidential elections but he received solely 10% of the votes cast. In 1961, he was imprisoned nether the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) as well as was released inwards 1962. He became the President of the Republic of Ghana Bar Association. He was rearrested inwards 1964 as well as sent to the condemned cells at the infamous Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he died of a take in assault on 4th February, 1962, aged 69 years.
Danquah was a prolife writer. He wrote 2 keen books namely, Akan Laws as well as Customs (1928) as well as Akan Doctrine of God (1944). His works are silent consulted past times students of sociology, law, cultural studies, amid others. While a pupil inwards London from 1921 to 1927, he became the Editor-President of the West African Students Union (WASU), to which Nkrumah also belonged during his brief rest inwards the UK from the USA.
In 1934, patch on a petition delegation to London, he researched at the British Museum as well as came upwardly amongst the call Republic of Ghana for the as well as so Gold Coast. He researched as well as discovered that Ghanaians are descended from the ancient empire of Republic of Ghana which flourished betwixt the 4th as well as twelve centuries at the Niger bend, close nowadays 24-hour interval Timbucktoo. The call Republic of Ghana must have got come upwardly from the Guan call Gyan or Djan. Out of the call Gyan, nosotros have got anglicized versions similar Ghunney, Ghansah, Ghartey, amid others. In 1954, after he lost elections massively to the CPP, patch running on the ticket of the UGCC, he was invited to New York past times the United Nations to have the Bryony Mumford Writing Fellowship, which had tenure of 3 months. When he arrived dorsum inwards the country, he was conferred amongst the championship of Twafohene past times the Abuakwa State, amongst the stool call of Barima Kwame Kyeretwie Dankwa. Among his illustrious accomplishments was his unyielding scrap to have got the University of Republic of Ghana established inwards 1948. The British had proposed the institution of solely 1 academy for the whole of West Africa but Danquah refused. I wonder why nosotros have got no Danquah Hall at Legon. I was at that spot at Legon Hall from 1975 to 1978.
It was Danquah who fought for the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) inwards 1947. It was Danquah who vigorously canvassed the people of Asante as well as the as well as so Northern Territories to bring together the Gold Coast Colony to travel what nosotros know today as modern Ghana. Of course, Nkrumah also did his flake past times using the 1956 Plebiscite to annex Trans Volta Togoland to travel modern 24-hour interval Volta Region of Ghana. Nkrumah was vehemently opposed past times secessionists such as Dr R.G. Armattoe as well as Kofi Anton. Danquah believed strongly inwards liberal democracy, hence his thought of federalism as well as a ministerial scheme of regime for Ghana. However, Nkrumah was diametrically opposed to the thought of federation as he felt a unitary province was best for Ghana. At a dot inwards time, Danquah felt that his dream had been stolen past times the radical Nkrumah, hence his implacable as well as vehement resistance to Nkrumah. Danquah joined the National Liberation Movement (NLM) as well as after the Republic of Ghana Congress Party (GCP). The NLM was dubbed a federalist or Matemeho political party because their political tactics were sometimes based on violence, hence the offshoot of the ‘All pop off live die’ of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo of the electrical current NPP. Danquah worked amongst people similar Sir Arku Korsah (first Ghanaian Chief Justice) as well as Kojo Thompson to make a 400 page draft constitution for the Gold Coast. It is proper as well as befitting for us to honour our illustrious leaders as well as pioneers. Today, nosotros have got Danquah Circle inwards Accra, as well as the annual Danquah Memorial Lectures at the University Of Cape Coast. At 1 time, our distinguished boy of the soil, Busumbrum Kofi Annan, offered the sentiment that Nkrumah’s brash radicalism cost Republic of Ghana a lot. Perhaps, Kofi Annan would have got loved Republic of Ghana to have got gone the way of Republic of Botswana where Sir Seretse Khama worked steadily as well as closely amongst the old colonial master copy till the province attained independence inwards 1966. Botswana as well as so was a really poor desert country. It was much after when diamonds were discovered past times the De Beers Group from South Africa. Today, Botswana’s success story inwards Africa is good documented. At the fourth dimension of Ghana’s indepence, it was estimated that a princely amount of 270 1000000 pounds was left inwards the province coffers. Who would dubiety that Nkrumah did non handle our economic scheme prudently? Well, posterity is the judge.
However, had Republic of Ghana followed Danquah’s conservative as well as constitutional step-by-step process, Ghana’s independence could have got delayed past times 10 years or more. Danquah was British trained patch Nkrumah was American trained. Thus, Nkrumah evinced the American traits of proficient salesmanship, marketing, theatrics, radicalism as well as love for adventure. On the other hand, Danquah wanted everything to live negotiated as well as processed through the courtroom physical care for of due process, or through formalized channels. Thus, nosotros tin give notice at nowadays understand the diametrically opposed strategies as well as natures of Danquah as well as Nkrumah. If the 2 had collaborated, Ghana’s history would have got taken quite a different trajectory. However, what is writ is writ as well as fate cannot live changed. As I write this article, E.T Mensah’s highlife melody rings inwards my ears, giving me nostalgic feelings of those politically stormy days when nosotros used to chant as children, the words, ‘PP obeko Assembly, Dombo Krakye, Orennko Assembly’ ,or ‘Odombo, Odombo, Dombo-soo me’. E.T Mensah sang, ‘Am for you, Titi, Am for you, I dey waiting Mama, I dey waiting Papa, Am for you. Am for you, Titi am for you. Look out for the side past times side tribute to Osagyefo Kantamanto Oseeadeayo Kwame Nkrumah.
Remembering the Doyen of Gold Coast politics
By: AKUA ADUTWUMWAA MROSA
EXACTLY 29 days from today, the Feb 6, 2007, Republic of Ghana volition celebrate her Independence Golden Jubilee. On the Feb 4, 1965, the 1 who researched for the call “Ghana’ died inwards chains exactly for championing a cause. After 42, this land is yet to give Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, the greatest patriot of all times, that recognition.
Indeed “The Big Six” namely, Dr. Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Messrs Edward Akuffo Addo, Obetsebi–Lamptey, William Ofori Atta as well as Ako Adjei are solely mentioned inwards passing. I would fifty-fifty create it “The Big Seven” – include George Grant, who was as well as so the backbone of the United Gold Coast Convention.
Three others – Sgt. Odartey Lamptey, Cpl. Attipoe as well as Adjetey lost their lives during the 1948 disturbances. I dare say that all the names mentioned higher upwardly have got non been adequately recognized. As a affair of fact, the history of our keen land had been greatly distorted. This land did non set about from 1957. “We must retrieve the past times inwards monastic enjoin to displace Forward (SanKofa)”. Our Children must live told our history, as well as this is the right time, otherwise posterity volition non pardon us.
Since Feb 4 marked the 42nd anniversary of the decease of 1 of our patriots, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, I want to dedicate this article to his retention as well as recall some of the attributes credited to him.
Many of Dr. Danquah’s admirers wrote tributes to his retention as well as I quote a few of their captions as follows:
The Price of Leadership, – past times Dr. Nnamdi Aziiwe, old President of the Republic of Nigeria.
The Goal you lot sought to Reach ever eluded you, – past times Prof. K.A. Busia, old Prime Minister of Ghana.
You were a keen Nationalist, – past times Chief Obafemi Awolowo, old leader of the Action Group inwards Nigeria.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 human being of Great Principles, – past times Bafour Osei Akoto, old Chairman of the National Liberation Movement.
Destined to live Ghana’s un-installed President, – past times K.G. Konuah old Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
You did non seek after personal fame or riches, – past times Sir, Robert Armitage, old Governor, Nyasaland, as well as old Financial Secretary of the Gold Coast.
Champion of the People’s Rights, - past times Nana Akyin I, old President of Central Region House of Chiefs.
You were the unquestioned leader, – past times Dingle Foot Q.C. Solicitor-General of the United Kingdom.
An architect of the truthful Freedom as well as Justice, – past times Nana Kwao Fraiku III, old President of the Western Region House of Chiefs
You set downward your life for Ghana, – past times Archie Casely – Hayford.
Danquah: Akuafo Kanea, – past times Koi Labie (Barrister-at-Law).
Men of your caliber are rare inwards Ghana, – past times R.S. Blay.
You gave us the call Ghana, – past times K. Brakatu Ateku, start Treasurer of the Gold Coast Youth Conference.
You died a martyr to the dominion of the law, – past times Prof. L.H. Ofosu-Appiah, Director, Encyclopaedia Africana.
Last but non the least, Lance Mallalieu Q.C. said, “It was you lot who led as well as achieved Ghana’s Independence for Ghana”.
Reflecting on the higher upwardly attributes brings a amend agreement of the human being Dr. Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah. Since his death, 1 or 2 historians as well as writers have got come upwardly out amongst some of his achievements. It seems, however, that Danquah’s achievements have got either been taken for granted or due cognizance has non been given to them
JB indeed played an indefatigable role inwards edifice our nation. As nosotros celebrate our Golden Jubilee, nosotros must also call upwardly that Ghana, formally the Gold Coast, did non start cast 1957. Ghanaians must know where nosotros actually are coming from, inwards monastic enjoin to build upon it. In fact this land is non 50 years old, it is the Independence which is 50. We must non distort our rich history. It was also fourth dimension nosotros gave credit where it was due.
Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah was born on Dec 21, 1895. At historic menstruation 20, JB was already a clerk of the Supreme Court, Accra. By the fourth dimension he turned 32 inwards 1927, he had been awarded a PhD, belike the start inwards West Africa to attain that feat.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 twelvemonth before he had served as the Editor of the Magazine for the West Africa Students Union (WASU) as well as as President for the Gold Coast Student’s Association inwards the United Kingdom. Since then, he remained inwards the forefront of national affairs as well as inwards 1929 became a foundation officeholder of the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC).
JB started his scrap against the British really early. In 1930, he published essays inwards the Gold Coast Spectator to oppose the reduction of African Civil Servants salaries past times Sir Ransford Slater’s government. At the asking of the Hon. J.E. Casely Hayford MBE, JB drafted a petition of unofficial members of the Legislature Council to the Secretary of State on the patch of study of reduction of African Civil Servants initial salary from £60 to £48 pounds (Sixty pounds to Forty-eight pounds) per annum.
Dr. Danquah played many pioneering roles towards our land building. He was the start to flora the start daily newspaper, West African Times as well as after named, The Times of West Africa (1930 – 1935). Through the medium of that paper he pioneered the battle for freedom. The Times of West Africa denounced the imperialist dominion of 1 race past times some other as well as read into the Bond of 1844, the right of the Gold Coast people to liberty for which he fought all his life.
As a political crusader, her assumed the call “Zidig” inwards the Times column to expose as well as criticize the hypocritical deeds of the day. In 1934, JB was the secretarial assistant for the delegation which went to Great Britain to protestation against the Gold Coast sedition ordinance passed inwards that year.
With the insatiable want to travel on to serve the province inwards various ways, Dr. Danquah entered the Legislative Council inwards 1946. During his term as a legislator (1946 – 1950), he was said to have got asked an average of 99 questions per session on a multifariousness of issues of populace interest; 119 questions inwards 1947, 86 inwards 1948, 92 inwards 1949 as well as 102 inwards 1950. They were non exactly questions but meaningful, constructive, as well as valuable contributions were also made.
There was no dubiety how concerned he was nearly his country. Among his invaluable contributions was his initiative to tabling a displace inwards the legislative council that the regime should flora a national banking company for the Gold Coast. This displace was tabled on Dec 9, 1949. At the time, Barclays Bank DCO (Dominion Colonial Overseas) was performing all the higher banking operations that a land mightiness live expected to undertake. For this reason, the British Colonial Government felt that at that spot was no demand to flora a national bank.
Dr. Danquah, however, contended that at that spot must live some generation of revenue inwards the higher scheme of banking, “if it had non been the case, Barclays would non have got come upwardly hither to operate at that level. Therefore, inwards view of the fact that it is amend for the Gold Coast to retain these profits inwards this country, it must live amend for us to flora a national banking company to make that travel for us which Barclays are at nowadays beingness invited to do”, Dr. Danquah concluded. Hence, the institution of the Bank of the Gold Coast at nowadays Bank of Ghana, as well as the Republic of Ghana Commercial Bank.
From his resources as well as his ain initiative, Dr. Danquah researched into the history as well as traditions of the Gold Coast inwards 1928 as well as asserted that at that spot was a link betwixt the ancient Sudanese empire of Republic of Ghana as well as the Gold Coast. Pursuant to his writing as well as presentations, our province the “Gold Coast” was renamed “Ghana” after Independence inwards 1957. He was instrumental inwards bringing nearly the union betwixt Ashanti as well as the southern parts of the province inwards the Burns Constitution of 1946.
Ghana’s foremost universities
Dr. Danquah was a fellow member of the Elliot Commission formed inwards 1944 to advise the British Government on the institution of a academy for British West Africa. A bulk of the members recommended Ibadan, Nigeria, as the site of the University for West Africa. Dr. J.B. Danquah wrote a minority written report advocating a dissever academy for the Gold Coast. It was, therefore, on the recommendation of Dr. Danquah that the University College of the Gold Coast was founded inwards 1948.
After Legon, the British did non think to build whatever to a greater extent than universities inwards the country, but Dr. Danquah challenged the British that nosotros did non demand solely a academy for the humanities but also some other for scientific discipline as well as technology. When the British asked him where the coin for such a projection could come upwardly from, Danquah retorted, “Where is our cocoa coin that you lot stack upwardly inwards your country”?
Eventually, the British had to agree, as well as this gave way to the nascency of the Kumasi College of Technology (KCT). Indeed, Dr. Danquah himself played a leading role inwards the selection of site etc. He took the as well as so Secretary for Education, Mr. Tom Barton, to Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II to inform him nearly the government’s intention to start a University of Science as well as Technology. Otumfuo amongst joy at 1 time offered to give them his assistance, past times offering 3 sites to select from.
These were the nowadays Yaa Asantewaa Campus, a instant at Fumesua as well as the nowadays site. Otumfuo asked no other individual to take away them circular than the belatedly Otumfuo Opoku Ware II who had as well as so exactly completed Adisadel College as well as was working as a clerk inwards the Asantehene Lands Office. The immature Opoku Ware took Danquah as well as Barton to the 3 sites as well as Danquah personally chose the nowadays site. He fifty-fifty went farther as well as took part inwards the surveying of the land. This gesture earned him a membership to the College Council.
Work started at 1 time as well as inwards Jan 1951, the Kumasi College of Technology was opened. One must annotation that Mr. Kwame Nkrumah became Head of Government inwards 1952, over a twelvemonth after KCT had been established.
Dr. Danquah was non solely into politics as well as education; he also had passion for sports, games as well as recreation. He, therefore, showed his foresight inwards promoting sports inwards this country, fifty-fifty before independence. He was at the forefront of the institution of the Accra Sports Stadium.
In 1948, Dr. J.B. Danquah as well as Mr. George Grant established the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). In fact, JB was its creator as well as the driving forcefulness behind it.
Throughout the early on days of the UGCC, he exhibited his vision for the Gold Coast as the Alan Burns Constitution indicated. He was a liberal democrat as well as was of the view that the cast of regime for the private must live paramount. He sought ways of uniting the youth, past times forming the Gold Coast Youth League. He also found it necessary to bond the chiefs as well as the intelligentsia past times seeking their views on of import issues.
Throughout his motion to the Legislative Assembly, his symbol was the elephant as well as inwards 1951 he was elected inwards the Legislative Assembly as start rural fellow member of Akyem Abuakwa on the ticket of the UGCC nether the novel constitution of start elected African Government. He was awarded First Bryant Munford Fellowship of the United Nations.
J.B. Danquah never forget his roots as well as on Jan 11, 1955 he was raised to the status of Twafohene or Chief of the Vanguard of Akyem Abuakwa past times the State Council as well as given the championship Barima Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah. The same year, he was appointed fellow member of The College Council of the Kumasi College of Technology.
During the motion towards Independence, the CPP’s slogan became “Self-Government now” (around 1948) as well as that of the United Party was “Self-Government inside the shortest possible time”. One would realize that after all it took the province 8 years (1949 – 1957) before nosotros gained Independence. After all it was non “Self-Government. now”.
At Independence when his dearest ambition inwards life – Self-Government for Republic of Ghana – was realized, he was amid ix of xx hand-picked foundation members of the Republic of Ghana Academy of Science.
When Kwame Nkrumah virtually introduced one–party province inwards the country, Dr. Danquah was the solely 1 who stood against him as well as inwards 1960 was nominated past times the United Party as well as stood against Kwame Nkrumah for the start Presidency of the Republic of Ghana. Even though he lost, he won a number of unexpected votes.
The Times of London described Dr. Danquah as the “fearless Critic for Dr. Nkrumah” as well as this earned JB the detentions without trial, start inwards 1961. His alleged criminal offence was that he had conspired amongst some capitalist traders to have the workers at Sekondi – Takoradi to travel on strike against the government. He was released on June 20, 1962. On Jan 8, 1964 he was arrested as well as detained over again without trial at the Nsawam Prisons. He was spot inwards jail cellular telephone No.9.
The condemned jail cellular telephone itself had a really high wall as well as a really rigid atomic number 26 gate inside the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison. From the high Iron Gate, you lot are led to some other atomic number 26 door which leads to the cells. Each jail cellular telephone had its ain atomic number 26 door amongst a little pinhole. It was nearly 3ft. past times 6ft. thick. In the cement flooring of the jail cellular telephone No. nine where J.B. Danquah lodged, was fixed a chain which was used to chain him. One would wonder why the chain if at that spot were all these atomic number 26 gates as well as doors.
Dr. Danquah got the air current of his arrest before as well as his admirers advised him to escape but this is what he said, “If I run away, my identify unit of measurement as well as children would non know my whereabouts but if I am inwards the province they would know my whereabouts”. This was the human being JB, really brave as well as courageous, but higher upwardly all a identify unit of measurement man, a father.
On Feb 4, 1965 he died inwards the cells. Indeed, he died a martyr. He did non seek personal fame or riches.
Interestingly, Dr. Danquah died 42 years agone as well as at that spot have got been a few governments but none of them have got thought it wise to have got a plumbing equipment memorial for this man. His concluding funeral rites have got non fifty-fifty been held. When Danquah wanted to innovate commonwealth into the country, he was mocked at as well as given all kinds of names as well as slogans example, “Danquah Domo domo socks”.
As nosotros celebrate the country’s Jubilee, it is the opportune fourth dimension to call upwardly our heroes, namely Odartey Lamptey, Adjetey, as well as Attipoe, as good as those I want to refer to as the Big Seven, non the Big Six. Ghana did non start from 1957; many fought as well as set downward their lives for Ghana. Their efforts must non live inwards vain.
I telephone outcry upwardly on the Republic of Ghana at 50 Secretariat to re-examine their programme for the celebration as well as create some provision for our heroes. I telephone outcry upwardly on the New Patriotic Party to notice out nearly the identify unit of measurement members of the heroes on whose wings they are flight now.
One may say that names similar Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa, Akuffo-Addo as well as Obetsebi-Lamptey are included but they are amongst the regime on their ain merit. Families of these heroes went through an ordeal. We did non consider them making their instance at the National Reconciliation Commission because they knew at that spot was no need. (http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=65&archiveid=658&page=1&adate=06/02/2007)
Nana Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah (December 1895 – 4 Feb 1965) the human being popularly known as the "doyen of Gold Coast politics" was a Ghanaian liberty fighter, Pan-Africanist, Statesman, prolific scholar, historian, poet, journalist as well as a fellow member of Ghana`s famous "Big Six" who were the architects of Ghana`s independence. “The Big Six” were Dr. Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Messrs Edward Akuffo Addo, Emmanuel Odarkwei Obetsebi–Lamptey, William Ofori Atta as well as Ako Adjei. It is imperative to create it “The Big Seven” – including George Paa Grant, who was as well as so the backbone of the United Gold Coast Convention.
Dr Danquah was a protege of the celebrated as well as iconic God-father of West African nationalism as well as the pioneer Pan-Africanist, Joseph Ephraim Casely-Hayford. In his ain words, it was at the feet of the eminent nationalist, “Ekra Agyeman, otherwise known as Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford, that I was brought up, similar St Paul nether Gamaliel, as well as it was from Ekra Agyeman that I learned selfless politics as the sacrificing of one’s self totally for one’s ain country. I sat nether his feet from 1915 to his ain decease inwards 1930.”
The Big Six” from left to right Dr. Nkrumah, Obestsebi-Lamptey, Dr Ako-Adjei, Edward Akuffo Addo, Dr Danquah, William Ofori Atta. Founding Fathers of Ghana.
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J. B as he is affectionately known past times his supporters as well as contemporaries played a important role inwards pre- as well as post-colonial Republic of Ghana as the founder of United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), pro-independence as well as the start political political party inwards Republic of Ghana which Dr Kwame Nkrumah was at one-time a General-Secretary.
Dr Danquah was the start continental African to have a doctorate inwards law from the University of London as well as also became the start president of the West African Students' Union which was the leading African organisation involved inwards struggle against imperialism inwards Africa. Danquah became a fellow member of the Legislative Council inwards 1946 as well as actively pursued independence legislation for his country. The Watson Commission of Inquiry into the 1948 Accra riots described Dr. J.B. Danquah as the "doyen of Gold Coast politicians; the human being at the dorsum of nearly all political movements; the human being from a famous chiefly identify unit of measurement who but for accident of nascency mightiness have got been a notable principal himself." The written report went farther thus: "the human being has keen intelligence but suffers from a affliction non unknown to politicians throughout the ages as well as recognised nether the generic call of expediency."
Indeed though it could live said that he was master copy of expediency, what was as striking nearly him was his lively intelligence as well as his unending commitment to the class of liberal democracy. These were the qualities which established him firmly as advocate of a liberal democratic political tradition inwards the politics of Ghana.
Dr J B Danquah, the nationalist, scholar, poet as well as journalist. Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Danquah was an intellectual giant of his 24-hour interval as well as earned greatest abide by from his contemporaries. He authored several ground-breaking scholarly works which include "Gold Coast: Akan Laws as well as Customs" as well as "the Akim Abuakwa Constitution (1928)", a play entitled "The Third Woman (1943)", as well as "The Akan Doctrine of God (1944)." His works are silent consulted past times students of sociology, law, cultural studies, amid others. As a journalist, Dr. Danquah was proprietor as well as editor of what is assumed to live the start daily paper inwards Ghana, which he christened [the] Times of West Africa. This was inwards 1932 [sic] as well as nether the pen-name of ‘zadig,’ he maintained a column which he used to expose corruption as well as criticize the hypocritical practices of his day.
He was a keen human being whose giant celebrity status was overshadowed solely past times Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana`s start president after wining the 1956 elections against him. In fact, if J B Danquah had won that elections Nkrumah would never have got been heard of over again inwards Republic of Ghana or exterior the shores of Ghana. Dr Danquah is credited amongst giving Ghana its name. "His historical enquiry led him to concur amongst Dr Kwame Nkrumah's proffer that on independence the Gold Coast live renamed Ghana after the early on African empire of that name".
It was Danquah who fought for the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) inwards 1947. It was Danquah who vigorously canvassed the people of Asante as well as the as well as so Northern Territories to bring together the Gold Coast Colony to travel what nosotros know today as modern Ghana. Of course, Nkrumah also did his flake past times using the 1956 Plebiscite to annex Trans Volta Togoland to travel modern 24-hour interval Volta Region of Ghana.
During J. B`s political career, he was 1 of the primary opposition leaders to Ghanaian president as well as independence leader Kwame Nkrumah. His ardent opposition to Nkrumah as well as falling afoul to the Nkrumah`s obnoxious Preventive Detention Act led to his incarceration at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison several times. Particularly, inwards Jan 8,1964, he was arrested as well as detained after Police Constable Ametewee's essay on the life of Nkrumah on the grounds of the Flagstaff House. Danquah was the lawyer for Ametewee as well as he was defendant of trying to assassinate the president, Kwame Nkrumah. On Feb 4. 1965 he suffered a take in assault as well as died inwards the condemned cells of the Nsawam Prison.
Just months before his decease at Nsawam prison, Dr Danquah wrote to President Nkrumah pleading to live released. The alphabetic lineament of May 9, 1964 began: “Dear Dr Nkrumah, I am tired of beingness inwards prison theater on preventive detention amongst no chance to create an original or whatever contribution to the progress as well as evolution of the country, as well as I hence respectfully write to beg, as well as appeal to you lot to create an monastic enjoin for my release as well as render home. I am anxious to resume my contru=ibution to the progress as well as evolution of Republic of Ghana inwards the patch of Ghanaian literature (Twi as well as English), as well as inwards Republic of Ghana Research (History as well as Culture), as well as I am anxious also to flora my married adult woman as well as children inwards a home, to develop the instruction of my children (ten of them) as well as to restore my parental domicile at Kibi (Yiadom House) to a respectable dignity, worthy of my belatedly father’s ain contribution to the progress of our country.”
The alphabetic lineament concluded, “I goal as I began. I am tired of beingness kept inwards prison theater kicking my heels, as well as doing zip worthwhile for the province of my nascency as well as love., as well as for the keen continent of Africa which was the start to give the entire globe a existent sense of savor of civilisation. My plea as well as my prayer to you, Osagyefo, is that I live released to render domicile for the next specific purposes: (1) To pursue my vocation for creative travel inwards Republic of Ghana literature; (2) To pursue my vocation for enquiry into Republic of Ghana history as well as culture; (3) To promote a domicile for my married adult woman as well as children as well as to promote the instruction of my children as befits their talents; (4) To restore my parental domicile at Kibi to a respectable dignity for occupation of the younger as well as older members of the family; (5) To pursue social as well as cultural life inwards Church as well as State; as well as (6) To practise my profession as a lawyer to obtain the wherewithal for the pursuit as well as advertisement of the higher upwardly interests.”
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the celebrated Nigerian start president averred inwards his tribute to Dr J B Danquah as a human being who paid "The Price of Leadership" inwards Republic of Ghana as well as Africa.
Many of Dr. Danquah’s admirers wrote tributes to his retention as well as I quote a few of their captions as follows:
"The Price of Leadership," – past times Dr. Nnamdi Aziiwe, old President of the Republic of Nigeria.
"The Goal you lot sought to Reach ever eluded you," – past times Prof. K.A. Busia, old Prime Minister of Ghana.
"You were a keen Nationalist," – past times Chief Obafemi Awolowo, old leader of the Action Group inwards Nigeria.
"A human being of Great Principles," – past times Bafour Osei Akoto, old Chairman of the National Liberation Movement.
"Destined to live Ghana’s un-installed President," – past times K.G. Konuah old Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
"You did non seek after personal fame or riches," – past times Sir, Robert Armitage, old Governor, Nyasaland, as well as old Financial Secretary of the Gold Coast.
'Champion of the People’s Rights," - past times Nana Akyin I, old President of Central Region House of Chiefs.
"You were the unquestioned leader," – past times Dingle Foot Q.C. Solicitor-General of the United Kingdom.
"An architect of the truthful Freedom as well as Justice," – past times Nana Kwao Fraiku III, old President of the Western Region House of Chiefs
"You set downward your life for Ghana," – past times Archie Casely – Hayford.
"Danquah: Akuafo Kanea," – past times Koi Labie (Barrister-at-Law).
"Men of your caliber are rare inwards Ghana," – past times R.S. Blay.
"You gave us the call Ghana," – past times K. Brakatu Ateku, start Treasurer of the Gold Coast Youth Conference.
"You died a martyr to the dominion of the law,' – past times Prof. L.H. Ofosu-Appiah, Director, Encyclopaedia Africana.
Last but non the least, Lance Mallalieu Q.C. said, “It was you lot who led as well as achieved Ghana’s Independence for Ghana”.
In Ghana, many opponents of UGCC or UP tradition accuse J B of beingness CIA implant that was used to disturb Nkrumah`s regime as well as that his arrests as well as detention were really legal. But the truth of the affair is J B was a liberal democrat who espouses capitalist ideas. He was a pragmatist who believed that Republic of Ghana needs "independence inside a shortest possible time," whilst Nkrumah was a radical socialist amongst rigid conviction that Republic of Ghana needed "Self-Government Now." Nkrumah had his back upwardly from Russian Federation as well as communist states as well as Danquah had his back upwardly from the West. Dr Danquah saw inwards the American or Western model the path to Ghana’s prosperity. “For evidence,” he wrote, “there is to manus the incontestable fact that the 3 keen nations which have got achieved an industrial marvel after World War II, namely Western Germany, Italy as well as Japan, did so non on a Socialistic or State Capitalist economy, but on the ground of private initiative as well as gratis enterprise, guided past times the gratis as well as intelligent manus of their respective governments.”
Danquah as well as Nkrumah`s feud,therefore, was a production of their ideological differences, to a greater extent than than personal hatred for each other. Whatever, 1 may feel, Danquah was a patriot, Nationalist as well as liberty fighter.
Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah. Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah (better known as J.B.) was born on Dec 21, 1895 at Bepong-Kwahu. His begetter was Emmanuel Yaw Boakye who was the principal province drummer of Nana Amoako Atta II, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa until he became a Christian evangelist at 40. His woman parent was Lydia Okum Korantemaa of the Royal identify unit of measurement of Adadientem close Kyebi. The twosome had 4 other children: 3 girls as well as 1 man child too J.B. Danquah. But Boakye had a son, past times an before marriage, who was fourteen years older than J.B. Danquah. This one-half blood brother was called Alexander Eugene Boakye Danquah as well as became pop as Nana Sir Ofori Atta I, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa. Nana Sir Ofori Atta I`s grand-son is British-Ghanaian born famous histrion Paul Danquah. His identify unit of measurement connections made him grow upwardly to take away the aristocratic monastic enjoin as well as this was to play a major role inwards his political life as well as work. At the historic menstruation of six, J.B, began schooling at the Basel Mission School at Kyebi as well as after continued at the Basel Mission Senior School at Begoro. On successfully passing his measure 7 examinations inwards 1912, he entered the occupation of Vidal J. Buckle, a barrister-at-law inwards Accra, as a clerk, a task which aroused his involvement inwards law.
Dr, Danquah as well as Paa Willie Ofori-Atta (member of the "Big-Six"). Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
On passing the Civil Service Examinations inwards 1914, he became a clerk at the Supreme Court of the Gold Coast. The experience acquired hither made his blood brother Nana Ofori Atta I, who had travel principal 2 years earlier, create upwardly one's psyche to appoint him as secretarial assistant of the Omanhene's Tribunal inwards Kyebi. Following the influence of his brother, J.B. was after appointed as the assistant secretarial assistant of the Conference of Paramount Chiefs of the Eastern Province which was after given statutory recognition to travel the Eastern Provincial Council of Chiefs. J.B.'s brilliance made his blood brother create upwardly one's psyche to sponsor him to Great Britain inwards 1921 to read law. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at the University of London Matriculation, he passed inwards 1922 enabling him to acquire inwards the University College of London as a philosophy student. He earned his B. A. grade inwards 1925 winning the John Stuart Mill Scholar inwards the Philosophy of Mind as well as Logic. This enabled him to acquire inwards for a Doctor of Philosophy grade which he earned inwards 2 years amongst the thesis, "The Moral End as Moral Excellence." He became the start West African to obtain the Dr. of philosophy grade from a British University. While he worked on his thesis, he entered the Inner Temple as well as was called to the Bar inwards 1926.
Danquah’s private life was total of romance. While inwards London as a pupil from 1921 to 1927, he fathered 2 sons as well as 2 daughters from 2 women, none of whom he married. In London. J.B, also took fourth dimension off his studies to participate inwards pupil politics, editing the West African Students' Union (WASU) mag as well as becoming the Union's start president.
Back domicile inwards 1927, he was offered mastership at the Prince of Wales College (Achimota College) to succeed Aggrey of Africa but he declined the offering as well as rather chose to travel into private legal practice. Alongside his legal practice, he found fourth dimension for 2 other things: first, to flora a paper as well as second, to aid found the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC). The paper he established was called the West Africa Times after renamed the Times of West Africa. The paper became the most pop Accra daily from 1931 to 1935 as it fearlessly advocated Fundamental Human Rights as well as denounced unusual domination. One of the most interesting columns inwards the paper "Women Comer" was written past times Mabel Ellen Dove, miss of Mr.Francis Dove, a barrister-at-law. J.B. Danquah married Mabel (as start wife) inwards 1933 as well as amongst her he had a son, named Vladimir. Elizabeth Vardon was his instant wife.
Dr J B Danquah standing (first from left), Nana Ofori Atta I sitting amongst his kra (soul/little boy) inwards from his him when Akyem delegation visited England inwards 1940,s
The GCYC which J.B. helped J.E. Casely-Hayford to found inwards 1929 was to projection him to travel a leading spokesman of the Youth from the early on 1930s upwardly to the advent of Nkrumah, The GCYC, as a union of youth groups inwards the country, had its origins inwards the emergence of a host of clubs, societies as well as unions inwards the 1920s as well as 1930s. The start principal aim of the grouping was to heal the interruption betwixt the chiefs as well as the intelligentsia that occurred inwards the 1920s as well as to convey those 2 groups as well as the youth together. Secondly, the GCYC was to inculcate inwards the youth the essentials of evolution as well as to telephone exchange views on such matters affecting the vital interests of the province so as to ensure rapid evolution as well as progress on salubrious lines, J.B. became the General-Secretary of the Conference inwards 1930. Other prominent members were: K. A. Korsah (later Sir). K Brakato Ateko, J.C. de Graft-Johnson. W.B. Van Lare as well as Edward Asafu-Adjaye, Under J.B., the GCYC held its start congress at Achimota College inwards Apr 1930 to utter over the Essentials inwards the Progress as well as Development of the Country, Subsequent congresses of the GCYC took identify inwards Cape Coast (1938), Kumasi (April 1939), Akim Abuakwa (1940). It was largely through the travel of the Conference that at that spot was effective mobilisation against 2 bills: the Sedition Bill which extended the Definition of sedition; as well as the Water Works Bill which sought to shift responsibleness for the cost of H2O render inwards the coastal cities from the regime to the citizens. Later a delegation made mainly of members of the GCYC as well as led past times Nana Ofori Atta I went to London to protestation against the Bills. J.B. was secretarial assistant to the delegation.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 petition drafted past times J.B. on behalf of the GCYC for presentation to the King of England protested against the 2 Bills as well as also asked for a larger number of Africans on the LEGCO. They also asked for representation on the EXECO as well as called for modification as well as improvement inwards such really of import matters as the occupation of Africans inwards the Civil Service, populace health, medical services, dispensaries as well as hospitals. The delegation, however, failed to persuade the Colonial Office as well as returned domicile disappointed. J.B., however, stayed inwards England for some fourth dimension to travel at the British Museum, looking for evidence that the main Gold Coast tribes were descendants of ancient Ghana, the medieval empire Dr. Danquah amongst colleague members of the opposition which flourished betwixt the 9th as well as thirteenth centuries. His enquiry influenced the alter of the country's call from Gold Coast to Republic of Ghana at the fourth dimension of independence. It was also largely through the travel of the GCYC, which sent a delegation to the JPCC inwards 1937, that the intelligentsia made mutual alliance amongst the chiefs as well as peopleto oppose attempts past times fourteen major firms to command prices inwards 1937.The Conference led past times J.B, also led agitation which after secured the reversal of the Government's determination to unopen downward the Esiama Rice Mills. In 1941, upon asking past times JPC, a three-man GCYC commission (J.B. Danquah. Arku Korsah as well as Kojo Thompson) prepared a 400-page draft constitution foi the Gold Coast. In this J.B. as well as his friends advocated the union of Asante Colony as well as the Northern Territories. They also advocated a key legislation of 2 houses: the JPC becoming the House of Chiefs as well as Legislative Council transformed into a Legislative Assembly. The key thought of the memorandun was having a ministerial scheme of government. In what is considered as on of his greatest diplomatic missions, J.B. inwards 1943 undertook to persuade the Asantehene as well as the Asante Confederacy Council to take away the Constitution which advocated the union of Asante as well as the Colony into a unmarried council. He also got the Asante Confederacy Council to ship a petition to the Secretary c State for the Colonies inwards 1943 on this stand.
When the Secretary of State, Oliver Stanley, visited the Gold Coast inwards the latter part of that twelvemonth (1943), he presented to him the Constitution which had bee endorsed past times the JPC, the Asante Confederacy as well as the. Municipal Members the LEGCO. As Richard Wight reports inwards his book, The Gold Coast Legislative Council, the memorandum as well as constitution took 4 hours read as well as that occasion marked "the zenith of Dr. Danquah's celebrity as the Sieves of the Gold Coast", The Secretary of State took Danquah) memorandum dorsum to London amongst a hope of responding later.
Shot of Dr. Danquah at the Supreme Coart, Accra. Courtesy: Nana Ofori Atta Ayim of anoghana.org
Two years after that epic performance, J.B. was on manus to prepare some other memorandum to the Secretary of State, this fourth dimension protesting against the Colonial Government's credence of the minority recommendation of the Walter Elliot Commission Dr. Danquah amongst colleague members of that Only One University the Legislative Assembly College was to live established for the states of British West Africa. He demanded a dissever University for the Gold Coast. The protestation past times Danquah as well as GCYC which was after joined past times the Achimota Council, the Central Advisory Committee of Education as well as the JPC compelled the British Government to concur to flora the University College of the Gold Coast inwards 1948.
In 1945, inwards reply to J.B.'s 1943 memorandum, the Secretary of State endorsed a novel Constitution for the Gold Coast. The Bums Constitution, provided for the representation on the LEGCO for the start fourth dimension of Asante as well as also gave the Gold Coast the start African-dominated LEGCO. Each Provincial Council was also permitted to elect 1 non-chief. Dr. J.B.Danquah, amongst the active back upwardly of his brother, Nana Ofori Atta I, was elected to correspond the Eastern Provincial Council. The Rev. C.G. Baeta, as well as so moderator of the E.P. Church, was the other non-chief who represented the Ewe department of the Eastern Provincial Council. As a legislative member, J.B. exhibited keen vogue inwards debates which gradually led to the transformation of legislative debates as a whole. His powerfulness of analysis was also formidable. He was interested inwards everything; non exactly the large fundamental issues. He pressed for various evolution projects as well as fought relentlessly for Africanisation of the Civil Service. His advocacy of the farmers' cause finally led to the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board inwards 1947. In recognition of all his contributions to the cause of farmers, a grouping of cocoa farmers' organisation as well as producers presented him amongst an illuminated commendation, calling him
Akuafo Kanea. This laurels was presented to him at Nsawam on July 13,1946. As J.B. worked inwards the LEGCO, he also sought ways to bargain amongst the to a greater extent than fundamental number of self-government. In Jan 1947, inwards conference amongst 3 friends, George Alfred Grant, a timber magnate, Robert Benjamin Blay as well as Awoonor-Williams, both Sekondi-based barristers, they conceived the thought of forming a novel motion to seek self-rule.
After months of preparations, the UGCC was formally inaugurated at Saltpond on August 4, 1947 amongst J.B. delivering the first address. At that landmark inauguration, clouded past times Clergymen, Chiefs, Professionals, lawyers, Business men, etc who were front end runners of that movement, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, made a rigid worded declaration, of which I quote, “We have got come upwardly from all the corners of this country…(to decide) how nosotros are to live governed, a novel sort of freedom, a Gold Coast liberty. We left our homes inwards Republic of Ghana as well as came downward hither to build for ourselves a newhome: There is 1 thing nosotros brought amongst us from ancient freedom. Today the security of that liberty is threatened; has been continuously threatened for 100 years; since the Bond of 1844 as well as the fourth dimension has come upwardly for a decision”.
The sole role of the Convention was ensuring that "in the shortest possible fourth dimension the administration as well as command of the Government shall travel past times into the hands of the people as well as their chiefs." To ensure that the UGCC attained its goal, it became necessary to acquire a full-time general-secretary for the party. None of the professionals on the Council of the political party were prepared to surrender their task for that duty. Ako Adjei who J.B, suggested for that post also rejected it. He inwards rum suggested Kwame Nkrumah for (he post J.B. after wrote a alphabetic lineament to Nkrumah urging him to render to take away upwardly the post. True to Ako Adjei's promises Nkrumah inside a few weeks, invigorated the UGCC. From a handful of branches inwards the Colony. UGCC began spreading throughout the province The rapid expansion of the UGCC came at a fourth dimension when Nii Kwabena Bonne III, Osu Alata Mantse. launched a countrywide motion to boycott goods of European shops, The boycott ended amongst the crossroads shooting incident of Feb 28,1948. When the riots broke out after the shooting. J.B, as well as other executive members of the UGCC who were as well as so coming together at Tarkwa, chop-chop came downward to Accra, as well as taking wages of the situation, J.B. on behalf of the UGCC sent a long cablegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies urging the recall of the Governor, the dispatch of a special commissioner, the institution of an interim regime which the council of UGCC would run as well as a Constituent Assembly. J.B. followed the cablegram amongst an address inwards the newspapers to the chiefs as well as people of the Gold Coast urging that The Hour of Liberation has struck.
Dr J B Danquah amongst Obetsebi-Lamptey, a fellow member of the "Big-Six." Two of them were imprisoned nether Nkrumah`s PDA as well as died inwards imprison.
Sensing danger, the Governor declared a province of emergency, as well as brought inwards troops from Nigeria to musical rhythm out the riot On March 13. 1948 J.B was amid leaders of the UGCC who were arrested as well as detained on the orders of the Governor. Later he as well as the others were released as well as made to appear before the government. J B. emphasised the Colonial Constitution of 1946 was outmoded as well as the Government nether it was solely a window-dressing. He also submitted a memorandum. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Basic Constitution for Ghanaians inwards reply to a asking made past times the Commission to render them amongst a draft Constitution for the Gold Coast, This provided the Commission useful insights into the political thinking as well as aspiration of the leaders of the Convention as well as formed the ground of the broad scheme for constitutional reform which the commission finally recommended. J.B's contribution to the Commission was indeed keen t and this gave him the appellation the "Doyen of Gold Coast Politics".
When the Coussey Committee on Constitutional Reform was appointed. J.B. became a fellow member as well as he signed the minority written report that "the people of the Gold Coast should live given the chance to create the supreme travail for a stand upwardly at nowadays as a self-governing province inside the Commonwealth." The Ewait Committee, which included Danquah as well as other members of the Coussey Commission undertook the task of setting upwardly a ministerial cast of regime nether the Coussey Constitution where at that spot would live eleven African Ministers each responsible for mnning a ministry building as well as each amongst an European Civil Servant to aid him.
As a outcome of the Coussey Constitution, full general elections were held on Feb 8, 1951 to fill upwardly seats inwards the Legislative Assembly. Though J.B was elected as start rural fellow member of Akyem Abuakwa on the ticket of the UGCC, his political party fared poorly against the CPR This gave J.B. a keen daze for he had, before the launching of the CPP, spearheaded the nationalist motion as well as confidently expected to inherit the drape of the colonial powerfulness when inwards due class the handover of powerfulness was accomplished. Before his ain eyes, however, he saw (what he thought was) his leadership taken over past times Nkrumah as well as his CPP which roused the consciousness of the people amongst fiery oratory. In bewilderment, J.B cried out that the elections were rigged Of course, what he failed to recognise was that a revolution had been achieved past times the Coussey Report, And dissimilar previously where he as well as his political colleagues could \ expression dignified nomination from the Provincial Council, they at nowadays had to tl motion inwards the towns as well as villages as well as solicit the back upwardly as well as votes of the , illiterate masses whom many of them viewed amongst condescension as well as £ apprehensive distaste.
Because of the poor performance of the UGCC, it was forced to merge amongst other pocket-sized parties to give creditable opposition to the CPP. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 leadership struggle amid top leaders on the Republic of Ghana Congress Party (GCP) was to farther weaken the party. At the 1954 full general election. J.B. contesting on the ticket of the GCP lost past times 3,622 to 4,958 to his nephew Aaron Asante Ofori-Atta inwards the competitor for the Akyem Abuakwa Central seat.
Almost at 1 time after the elections, he received a cablegram from New York amongst tidings of the conferring on him of the start Bryony Mumford writing society to the UN. He spent 3 months at the United Nations as a result. On his render inwards Jan 1954 to Kyebi, he was made Twafohene (senior divisional principal of Akyem Abuakwa) amongst the stool call Barima Kyererwie Dankwa. He after joined the National Liberation Movement (NLM) which had beer formed patch he was inwards the USA as well as became a fellow member of the movement's Central National Executive Council. The path of violence which the NLM took to attain its principal goal of federalism made the motion unpopular especially amid the southerners who saw the motion as a tribal group. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 full general election called inwards July 1956 to determine which political party would Pb the province to independence as well as settle the number of federation, saw J.B. standing on the ticket of NLM. He lost for the instant successive fourth dimension inwards competitor for the Abuakwa North Constituency seat. He obtained 4,122 votes as against 4,671 past times Charles Emmanuel Nimo of the CPP.
Though a passionate advocate of democracy, J.B. could non convey himself t take away his defeat. He defendant the CPP candidate of rigging the elections. Wh£ he forgot was that he lost because of his elitist mental attitude as well as his ignoring the fact that, inwards a democracy, the votes of the masses were as of import amongst those of professionals alive Committee member. From that position, he continued t scrap relentlessly for abide by for human rights inwards the country. He opposed the arbitrary deportation of Alhaji Amadu Baba as well as Alhaji Othman Larde Lalemic, 2 Nigerians living inwards Kumasi, which took identify inwards 1957 as well as tried unsuccessfully to acquire the judiciary to halt them. He opposed the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) when it was passed inwards July 1958. When the PDA was used against some opposition leaders, he defended them as well as earned the battle to the Court of Appeal. His argument inwards the Re Akoto as well as Others Case (Ci\ Appeal No, 42161 of August 1961) remains to appointment a locus classicus amoi habeas corpus cases inwards the country. In 1960 J.B. was nominated as the United Party's presidential candidate to competitor the Apr 1960 elections against Nkrumah, Though he lost he won a number of unexpected votes, receiving per centum (124,623 past times 1,016,076) of the votes as well as defeating Nkrumah inwards t Volta Region. The UP, after losing the elections, went into violent contrary against the CPP, J.B. the UP's presidential candidate was as really manly inwards his attacks: "the province had been wrecked past times the regime incompetence as well as wasteful financial as well as administrative policies" he oft charged.The CPP responded past times detaining Danquah as well as some MPs Victor Owusu, Joe Appiah, S.G Antor, D.K. Afedo, the Rev. Ametowobla - on Oct 3, 1961.The immediate grounds for his detention according to the detention orders served on him ware that on September 12, 1961 amongst 2 men, Ismaila Annan as well as Atta Border, he attended a coming together at which plans for subverting the CPP Government was made. It was also alleged that through him sure traders passed £ 10,000 to the workers of Sekondi-Takoradi to have them to organise a strike against the 1961 Budget. From his Nsawam Prison, J.B. inwards his feature way, wrote several letters inwards protestation against this detention. On June 22,1962 he was released. On Jan 8,1964 he was over again arrested as well as detained after Police Constable Ametewee's essay on the life of Nkrumah on the grounds of the Flagstaff House. J.B. was alleged to have got been implicated inwards the plot to assassinate the President. In prison, his wellness deteriorated fast as well as on Feb 4. 1965 he suffered a take in assault as well as died inwards the condemned cells of the Nsawam Prison. Despite the adverse political atmosphere of the day, he was given a hero's burial at his hometown, Kibi.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Committee of Inquiry that investigated atmospheric condition inwards prisons after the 1966 coup pointed out that J.B, was ill-treated as well as intolerable atmospheric condition were imposed on him. According to the Report he was chained as well as made to slumber on the bare floor. When he roughshod sick as well as suffered from asthma, he was refused medical attention,
For J.B's relentless struggle for commonwealth as well as human rights inwards Ghana, the NLC which overthrew the CPP organised a national funeral for him as well as rehabilitated him. In 1967, the Republic of Ghana Academy of Arts as well as Sciences of which J.B. was a founding member, instituted the J.B. Danquah Memorial Lectures which are delivered annually inwards February. The NRC also honoured him past times naming a traffic intersection after him. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 monument dedicated to him was erected at the Danquah Circle on Dec 29,1990. The 350 cm high bronze statue which shows him inwards traditional stuff standing amongst his left manus resting on a pile of books clearly reveals that the human being J.B. Danquah past times his life as well as works has traversed politics as well as today stands for ideals of learning, scholarship, as well as cultural heritage.
SOURCE:http://articles.ghananation.com/articles/flagbearers-of-ghana/3016-dr-j-b-danquah-1895-1965.html
PRESIDENT AZIKIWE EULOGIZES THE LATE DR. DANQUAH
[“His Excellency, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, inwards a eulogy inwards retention of the belatedly Dr. J. B. Danquah, has said that he [i.e. Dr. Danquah] was a pioneer[ing] West African Scholar, Lawyer, Journalist, Poet as well as Fighter for human freedom, for which glorious cause he paid the supreme penalty”].
The next is the total text of Dr. Azikiwe’s eulogy: By the decease of Joseph Boakye Danquah, the globe has lost a valued ally inwards the crusade for human liberty as well as Africa has lost a keen champion of fundamental human rights.
It is non universally appreciated [as it ought to] that Dr. Danquah was belike the start West African to obtain the doctorate inwards philosophy from a British University, when his dissertation on Akan Law as well as Customs was accepted for the Ph.D. Degree past times the University of London inwards 1927-28.
As a journalist, Dr. Danquah was proprietor as well as editor of what is assumed to live the start daily paper inwards Ghana, which he christened [the] Times of West Africa. This was inwards 1932 [sic] as well as nether the pen-name of ‘zadig,’ he maintained a column which he used to expose cant as well as criticize the hypocritical practices of his day.
The Times of West Africa advocated fundamental human rights as well as denounced the domination of human being past times human being nether the regime of imperialism. Dr. Danquah constantly reminded the colonial regime that the Bond of 1844 did non transform the people of Republic of Ghana into chattels, but reserved to them their liberty until the fourth dimension when they would live able to find it.
When the Gold Coast Government introduced the Sedition Ordinance inwards 1934, Dr. Danquah was the secretarial assistant of the delegation, nether the leadership of his brother, the belatedly Nana Sir Ofori-Atta, which was sent past times the Gold Coast people to the Colonial Secretary (Lord S. Winton, as well as so Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister).
Two years later, Mr. Isaac T. A. Wallace Johnson of Sierra Leone as well as I [i.e. Dr. Azikiwe] were to create history past times beingness the start persons against whom this Law was start tested. One of the Crown Counsel who prosecuted us was the belatedly Sir Algermon Brown, who died inwards role as Chief Justice of Northern Nigeria, 10 years agone [1955?].
In the latter part of 1947, when the NCNC [ the National Congress of Nigeria as well as the Cameroons] delegation was returning from London, Dr. Danquah joined “Pa” [George] Grant as well as Mr. R. S. Blay as well as other Ghanaian patriots to give us a grand reception inwards Sekondi. Dr. Danquah as well as so informed me of what they had heard nearly a immature Ghanaian who was as well as so editing The New Africa inwards London, nether the auspices of the West African National Secretariat amongst the collaboration of Bankole Awoonor-Renner. That was when I [Nnamdi Azikiwe] assured them that this budding leader was wasting his talent inwards London as well as that his services could live of invaluable aid inwards the struggle of Republic of Ghana for a identify nether the sun. That personality happened to live Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, start President of the Republic of Ghana.
It is an irony of history that a keen pioneer of Ghanaian scholarship should pop off inwards a detention camp, barely 8 years after his province had travel gratis from unusual domination.
During my brief rest inwards Republic of Ghana (1934-37), Dr. Danquah as well as I did non frequently consider oculus to oculus politically, but nosotros were sensible as well as mature plenty to abide by each other’s right to province his sentiment as he sees fit, as well as our friendship has endured until his lamented death.
As 1 who fought side past times side amongst Dr. Danquah inwards monastic enjoin to liquidate colonialism inwards Africa, I personally regret the circumstances surrounding his death. All who honestly believe inwards human liberty would have got wished it were otherwise.
I fought against the colonial regime because, inwards spite of the stuff prosperity as well as protection guaranteed us, as colonial peoples, it denied us fundamental human rights. Consequently, my thought of independence is a province of political existence where every individual shall savor human rights nether the dominion of law. This was what I meant when I spoke of abide by for human dignity at my inauguration as the start African Governor-General of this province [i.e. Nigeria]. I am sorry that Dr. Danquah died inwards a detention camp. I want that he had been tried publicly, told what offence he was alleged to have got committed, given a fair chance to defend himself, as well as and so either discharged or punished, depending upon the fact, whether or non his innocence has been established or his guilt proved beyond whatever reasonable shadow of doubt.
I am of the considered sentiment that if independence agency the commutation of alien dominion for [with?] indigenous tyranny, as well as so those who struggled for the independence of old colonial territories have got non solely desecrated the cause of human freedom[,] but they have got betrayed their peoples.
To Mrs. Elizabeth Danquah as well as the members of the mourning families, I ship my condolences as well as those of Nigerian fighters for human freedom. If the lessons of history hateful much, as well as so the sacrifice of West Africa’s pioneer[ing] scholar, lawyer, journalist, poet, statesman as well as fighter inwards the cause of human liberty volition non live inwards vain. Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah has paid the cost of leadership. May his soul residual inwards peace”
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 argument past times the Danquah Institute
DANQUAH WAS Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 GREAT PATRIOT, THE LIE ABOUT BEING Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 CIA AGENT MUST STOP!
On Friday, Feb 11, during a electrical current affairs programme on Peace FM, a leading fellow member of the ruling National Democratic Congress repeated the posthumous smear motion that Joseph Boakye Danquah, the ‘doyen of Ghana’ as well as co-founder of Ghana’s start political party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), was a CIA spy.
To back upwardly this faux allegation, the NDC human being stated categorically that declassified CIA files of Ghana’s First Republic call Dr Danquah, as well as so the leader of the United Party (UP), the main opposition political party to Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP), as a CIA spy.
The Executive Director of the Danquah Institute called into the radio programme to right the faux data past times proverb that nowhere inwards whatever declassified CIA files of the menstruation (or whatever other period) is it recorded that J B Danquah was a CIA spy.
The side past times side day, Saturday, Feb 12, the NDC human being was on some other radio station, Citi FM, repeating the untruth but this fourth dimension pointing to a different source, a book, he claimed was written past times a old USA ambassador to Ghana, Mr Mahoney. (We have got chosen to acquire out the NDC man’s call out because the prevarication was non generated past times him but 1 that has been told over as well as over again, especially past times people on the so-called left side of Ghana’s politics, specially the NDC.
This lie, which has been repeated over the years, has been competently dealt amongst inwards an article on our website (www.danquahinstitute.org).
WHAT STARTED THE LIE?
What was the ground of this serious allegation against 1 of the greatest nationalists of the 20th century who made the ultimate sacrifice past times dying nether political detention for defending liberty as well as commonwealth inwards Ghana? Opponents of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition inwards Republic of Ghana have got inwards the in conclusion decade or so seized amongst glee as well as relish on a dubious data that came out of the book, “JFK: Ordeal inwards Africa”. This book, written past times Richard Mahoney, boy of the belatedly William Mahoney, USA Ambassador to Republic of Ghana (1962-65), inwards a paragraph mentions that Dr Danquah’s family, which at the fourth dimension included 13 subject children, allegedly received stipends from the American Embassy inwards 1961 during his start menstruation inwards jail nether the Preventive Detention Act. The number was that this was done without the knowledge of the Ambassador. It is this tertiary manus data that has been used to damnify Dr Danquah as a traitor.
The author claims that during 1 coming together amongst his father, the USA Ambassador after Dr Danquah’s release from detention, Danquah, who presumably assumed that the Ambassador was aware of the arrangement, asked Ambassador Mahoney how come upwardly the stipends that the American Embassy opted to give to his married adult woman to back upwardly the identify unit of measurement was stopped after Dr Danquah’s release! It is rather a curious query inwards logic. Supposing the stipends were beingness given to his identify unit of measurement because the Americans, touched past times the circumstances of the identify unit of measurement losing its breadwinner temporarily, decided to offering some back upwardly to a human being who was pro-American inwards the dual global politics of the Cold War era, was it non exactly logical for that back upwardly to cease after his release from detention?
Also, spies, informants or double agents normally have got their handlers. Why didn’t Danquah travel to his ‘handler’ to complain but to the Ambassador who, as it turned out, knew zip nearly the apparent arrangement? Or, are nosotros non allowed to scrutinise the logicalities of claims made past times so-called chroniclers of our history? Nowhere inwards that volume or anywhere else, for that matter, has it been alleged that Danquah personally received coin from whatever unusual powerfulness or agent.
On Jan 4, 1964 Dr Danquah was 1 time over again detained nether preventive custody. He died on February, 4, 1965, a twelvemonth before the CPP was overthrown. The 69-year-old asthmatic patient, afflicted amongst hypertension, liver complaint as well as take in attacks, was locked upwardly inwards chains as well as leg irons as well as left to pop off inwards a jail cellular telephone for condemned prisoners of nearly half dozen past times ix feet.
It must live noted that the 1964 detention took identify before the coup which was supported past times the CIA. Yet, exactly months before his decease at Nsawam prison, Dr Danquah wrote to President Nkrumah pleading to live released.
The alphabetic lineament of May 9, 1964 began: “Dear Dr Nkrumah, I am tired of beingness inwards prison theater on preventive detention amongst no chance to create an original or whatever contribution to the progress as well as evolution of the country, as well as I hence respectfully write to beg, as well as appeal to you lot to create an monastic enjoin for my release as well as render home. I am anxious to resume my contru=ibution to the progress as well as evolution of Republic of Ghana inwards the patch of Ghanaian literature (Twi as well as English), as well as inwards Republic of Ghana Research (History as well as Culture), as well as I am anxious also to flora my married adult woman as well as children inwards a home, to develop the instruction of my children (ten of them) as well as to restore my parental domicile at Kibi (Yiadom House) to a respectable dignity, worthy of my belatedly father’s ain contribution to the progress of our country.”
The alphabetic lineament concluded, “I goal as I began. I am tired of beingness kept inwards prison theater kicking my heels, as well as doing zip worthwhile for the province of my nascency as well as love., as well as for the keen continent of Africa which was the start to give the entire globe a existent sense of savor of civilisation. My plea as well as my prayer to you, Osagyefo, is that I live released to render domicile for the next specific purposes: (1) To pursue my vocation for creative travel inwards Republic of Ghana literature; (2) To pursue my vocation for enquiry into Republic of Ghana history as well as culture; (3) To promote a domicile for my married adult woman as well as children as well as to promote the instruction of my children as befits their talents; (4) To restore my parental domicile at Kibi to a respectable dignity for occupation of the younger as well as older members of the family; (5) To pursue social as well as cultural life inwards Church as well as State; as well as (6) To practise my profession as a lawyer to obtain the wherewithal for the pursuit as well as advertisement of the higher upwardly interests.”
The enquiry must live asked: as his identify unit of measurement had at this fourth dimension had to rely on his extended identify unit of measurement to survive, had the Americans at the fourth dimension stopped looking after Danquah’s family, as they allegedly did inwards 1961 during his start detention? Had he stopped beingness a spy, amongst the coup less than 2 years away? Or did the value the Americans spot on Danquah non sufficient plenty to sustain his family?
Really, what the volume of the pol boy of William Mahoney sought to portray was that the CIA used to make things without necessarily the knowledge of the political heads. The Ambassador, who was a fellow member of the Irish Gaelic circle of friends that President Kennedy appointed, according to his son, went to complain to the USA President who as well as so issued a directive which compelled CIA operatives inwards unusual nations to travel straight nether their various ambassadors.
Thus, if Danquah was a spy the novel arrangements from Washington ought non to have got fundamentally disturbed whatever existing arrangements he had amongst the CIA before 1962, if indeed it was an espionage engagement.
If indeed, at that spot was whatever such stipends to the detainee’s identify unit of measurement it mightiness have got come upwardly from the ‘heart’ of a scheme that sympathised amongst the political cause of Dr Danquah. Danquah’s life was characterised past times sacrifice. He was non rich as well as did non pop off leaving a legacy of stuff wealth. His was the ultimate self-sacrifice for country. And he paid the ultimate cost for it -- amongst his life.
The reliability of the data inwards the younger Mahoney’s has sure as shooting been interrogated. Since the author was at the stuff fourth dimension barely 10 years old, nosotros must assume that the data came to him much after from his father. This is because no declassified CIA records of the menstruation comprise whatever such reference. Indeed, nosotros would silent have got defended him fifty-fifty if CIA files were to call Danquah as a collaborator inwards efforts to oppose the Nkrumah dictatorship of the First Republic. But, would it have got been treacherous for Dr Danquah or whatever other opposition pol of that menstruation of uncompromising dictatorship to collaborate amongst whatever sympathetic unusual power? Since when has that been unpatriotic inwards the history of liberation struggles across the globe and, especially, during the Cold War era?
CHOOSING BETWEEN SOVIET-STYLE DICTATORSHIP AND WESTERN-STYLE DEMOCRACY
Dr Danquah made no hole-and-corner nearly his preference for the Western-style democratic model as well as gratis market. Nkrumah’s sympathy as well as affinity for the Soviet system, right from his pupil days, was as good known as well as documented. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 turning dot inwards the history of Nkrumah’s controversial dominion was his celebrated trip of that same year, 1961, to the Communist states of Eastern Europe as well as the Soviet Union. Already highly sympathetic to all things Soviet – he tells us inwards his autobiography, titled amongst his usual modesty ‘Ghana’, that he was [sic] “a Hegelian-Marxist, non-Denominational Christian.” The see impressed him highly amongst the efficiency of the Soviet model: province enterprises, province farms, key planning, the command economy, dominion past times the “vanguard party” – this was the moving ridge of the future, the irresistible forcefulness of history, so he thought. Ghana, the start colonial land inwards sub-Saharan Africa to escape the clutches of imperialism, was required to live inwards the forefront of that history.
So amongst considerable vigour, a systematic travail was made to transform the Ghanaian economic scheme into a replica of the Soviet model. Between 1961 as well as 1966, the economical landscape became littered amongst a multiplicity of province enterprises as well as province farms. We fifty-fifty had our ain equivalent of the ‘Gossplan’ - the Seven Year Development Plan. The province enterprises as well as farms of the Nkrumah era proved to live no to a greater extent than efficient inwards Republic of Ghana than they were inwards their province of origin. Far from beingness the moving ridge of the future, they have got travel synonymous amongst economical failure as well as have got been repudiated almost everywhere they have got been tried. Even inwards China, where the vanguard political party continues to hang on to power, the rulers have got seen the wisdom inwards reviving private holding rights as well as letting the marketplace take away an increasingly key role inwards the allotment of resources. The Chinese smash of the in conclusion 2 decades is the direct result. Deng Xiaoping – he of the “it doesn’t affair if a truthful cat is dark or white, so long as it catches mice”– non Mao Tse-Tung, is the architect of this dramatic development, which has led Cathay towards a marketplace economic scheme as well as the instant largest economic scheme inwards the globe today.
Now, permit us spot Dr Danquah’s spot during that heated menstruation of defining which path the novel land should choose. It was no hole-and-corner that Dr Danquah’s preference inwards the titanic twentieth century struggle of the Cold War was for the Western democracies, whose democratic systems of regime as well as opened upwardly societies appealed really much to his freedom-loving spirit. He was horrified past times the violent, crude, anti-democratic methods of governance inwards the closed societies of the Soviet-style states.
For example, on Apr 30, 1962, Dr Danquah, inwards a alphabetic lineament to the Clerk of Parliament stated, what he called, the “inadequacy, fatuity as well as wastefulness” of the Soviet model. He condemned the Soviet model, “which rejects religion as well as whatever sort of idealism or humanism from its materialistic interpretation of man’s long history.”
He saw the Western model to, at least, obviously have got the capacity to elevate the dignity of the bulk of the people of the West because, inwards his words, “It is clear that Socialism” does non pay “any psyche to man’s permanent motive forces or commitments – the commitment to his God, to his country, to his identify unit of measurement as well as to the dignity of human being as man.”
Beyond that, Dr Danquah saw inwards the American or Western model the path to Ghana’s prosperity. “For evidence,” he wrote, “there is to manus the incontestable fact that the 3 keen nations which have got achieved an industrial marvel after World War II, namely Western Germany, Italy as well as Japan, did so non on a Socialistic or State Capitalist economy, but on the ground of private initiative as well as gratis enterprise, guided past times the gratis as well as intelligent manus of their respective governments.”
Dr Danquah was trace of piece of work solid inwards his belief inwards the principles of liberal democracy, democratic accountability, the dominion of law, human rights, private liberties, gratis enterprise as well as social justice. He criticised the Soviet Union, Cathay as well as Republic of Cuba for showing keen deficiencies inwards allowing their people to freely exercise the higher upwardly values as well as virtues of human dignity. For the patriot that he was, he wanted Ghanaians to live freed to excel as well as live inwards accuse of the province inwards its wholeness.
He wrote, “[I]n planning the libertation of Republic of Ghana what our wise men of the ages, from Prince Brew of Dunkwa inwards 1871 to George Alfred Grant inwards 1947, sought was non only ‘the political freedom’ inwards the hope that ‘other things’ would live added freely, but the total kingdom of modern nationhood, including fifty-fifty culture, literature as well as sports!”
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 HISTORY OF SMEAR CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DANQUAH
Dr Danquah suffered smear campaigns during as well as after the struggle for independence. In fact, what inspired the higher upwardly quote is a story best told past times himself (his alphabetic lineament of 30th January, 1962 to the Speaker of the National Assembly):
“In 1949 sure 3 men, wishing to climb to the top of Republic of Ghana politics over my dead body, spread a vile motion against me that inwards asking Sir Sydney Abrahams at a tea political party inwards Lancaster House, London, at the African Conference of 1948, to come upwardly dorsum to the Gold Coast, as Republic of Ghana was as well as so called, to reorganise our sports for us, a see which led eventually to the start Gold Coast Sports Ordinance as well as the structure of the nowadays Accra Sports Stadium, I did so upon a corrupt ground at the instance of the British Government for a bribe of £25,000 for me to abandon Gold Coast politics for Gold Coast sports!
“The men who set this vile rumour inwards displace against me pointed at Sir Sydney Abrahams, a old Attorney-General of the Gold Coast Athletics Association, as the human being who brought me as well as my colleagues of the United Gold Coast Convention a bribe of £25,000 each to plow the people’s psyche from politics to sports.”
Now to appreciate how effective this smear motion was, travel on to read Danquah’s ain account: “At that fourth dimension the evil motion spread past times the 3 men was made the plank upon which the novel party, the Convention People’s Party, at nowadays the caesarian or imperialist political party of Ghana, was founded, the original leaders of the UGCC beingness those thus sought to live discredited past times the fabulous story of their having accepted British coin to ease off from politics to sports.”
Another smear motion was invented 69 days after his arrest to justify his detention of Oct 3, 1961 that unusual capitalist firms used him amongst £10,000 to bribe the workers to travel on strike against the Government’s Budget.
His words from his condemned jail cellular telephone speak of how the scheme abused this keen patriot. Danquah wrote: “It is perchance my fate that, 1 time again, fifty-fifty when I am behind prison theater bars, a similar evil motion should live started against me inwards 1961, twelve years after the first!!! In this plight I tin give notice solely telephone outcry upwardly upon the Republic of Ghana land as well as its august National Assembly to apply their uppercase psyche to the facts, to permit the truth prevail, and, as Milton said, ‘to justify the ways of God to man’... I cannot at this phase expression the land to offering me whatever thank you lot for my 34 years of single-hearted devotion to the national cause, to have got been able to give Republic of Ghana non solely the clarion telephone outcry upwardly to liberation ‘when the hr struck’, but also to have got discovered, after sixteen years of research, the glory of our ancient Republic of Ghana name... But although I make non expression whatever sort of thank you lot at nowadays for giving our country’s several tribes the basic foundation of a mutual nationhood – GHANA – of which the people start became fully witting during the March 6, 1944 nationwide centenary celebrations of the Bond of 1844, I entertain the hope that my province men -- as well as the women – too, -- volition acquire out me solitary to savor quietly my poverty inwards my ripe historic menstruation of half dozen as well as lx years, as well as non over again seek to pile grief upon grief on to the glory of my greying hairs.”
DANQUAH TO CIA AS NKRUMAH TO KGB?
It has been argued that both Nkrumah as well as Danquah, the 2 keen politicians of the time, made no hole-and-corner nearly their preferred ideologies, inwards the competitor of ideas betwixt the East as well as West as well as yet they both rightly saw themselves as patriots, whose formula for Republic of Ghana was inwards the nation’s interest.
“Sir,” Danquah told the Clerk of Parliament, “I personally consider zip traditional inwards the thought that Republic of Ghana should amongst her eyes open, or her eyes half-closed, repeat this soul-searing experiment inwards Marxist-Socialism, past times leaving Ghana’s large trace of piece of work organisation inwards the hands of unusual privately owned firms, aided as well as abetted past times a Republic of Ghana Capitalist Government inwards no way experienced inwards merchandise or business, whilst the Ghanaian himself... is to live restricted as well as confined to ‘small trade’ or ‘small business’ inwards a ‘small way’. Surely it ought to live evident that to confine or boundary the energies of a people to ‘small business’ as a full general economical policy is to sterilise instead of energise the people’s economical capacities. The role of a regime is non to block or command but to liberate its people’s energies – economic, intellectual, moral as well as spiritual.”
But, Danquah was no stooge. “The wisest solution, to my mind, is for each province to build by as well as large upon its ain foundations. Ghana’s foundations are to live found inwards what has ever made Ghanaians what they are – Ghanaists to the backbone, that is to say, they are a people remarkable for their belief inwards God, their love of country, their devotion to family, their pick of personal freedom, as well as their religion inwards humanity.”
Indeed, most political figures of the day, especially inwards the so-called Third World, were required to create a pick betwixt East as well as West. For instance, Caculama, the main preparation centre of Umkhonto nosotros Sizwe (MK) inwards the town of Malanje, Angola, was known to have got been sustained past times the KGB. MK soldiers were trained past times the KGB. Joe Slovo the chief-of-staff of the ANC Earth forces as well as Chris Hani, the Earth forces commissar, were known as devout Communists, but could these gallant ANC heroes live described as KGB spies because of their ideological belief as well as their collaborations amongst the KGB?
Back home, Soviet security personnel were known to give critical back upwardly to Nkrumah’s security. What nearly the accuse that the battle of Flagstaff House on Feb 24, 1966 involved Soviet security personnel fighting inwards defense of the Nkrumah government? Should nosotros enquiry Nkrumah’s patriotism only because the KGB mightiness have got played a role inwards Ghana’s security arrangements? In those at nowadays distant days choices were the monastic enjoin of the day.
The KGB was for many people, especially those who valued the democratic way of life as well as private freedom, a greater danger to life as well as liberty than the CIA. The shredding of the Iron Curtain inwards Eastern Europe as well as the emergence of multiparty commonwealth inwards Africa today is a vindication for Danquah as well as his choices. He has, thus, the merit of at to the lowest degree having been on the same side as the victorious forces inwards the Cold War. The KGB, similar the residual of the Soviet system, has deservedly disappeared into history.
THE CIA AND THE 1966 COUP
Reducing Danquah to a traitor fits good amongst the people who bash the coup of 1966. The coup happened 12 months after Dr Danquah died nether Nkrumah’s PDA. The biggest os of controversy is of the alleged involvement of the CIA inwards the event. It would have got been really strange, when the Cold War was at its tiptop inwards the 1960s, amongst Republic of Ghana really much inwards the forefront of African politics, if the intelligence agencies of the ‘Great Powers’ had non concerned themselves amongst the affairs of Ghana. They were all concerned, the Soviet KGB as amongst the American CIA.
The number that is of greater involvement is this: amongst a Life President of a One Party State, whose dominion was backed past times a preventive detention law that was inwards constant usage, as well as where elections had travel nonexistent, how could lawful, peaceful alter have got been effected inwards the Republic of Ghana of 1966? Regrettable as the intervention of soldiers inwards our politics became, especially because of subsequent events, the enquiry silent cannot live avoided. The Ghanaian people instinctively recognised that at that spot was no other way.
Republic of Ghana may non live worth dying for if keen nationalists similar Danquah tin give notice live posthumously dismissed amongst the prevarication of beingness branded spies of a unusual country. Try as they might, Danquah’s detractors cannot run away from 1 crucial point. Even though he never occupied whatever executive spot inwards independent Ghana, the political party as well as tradition that he fathered amongst Paa Grant, which Dombo as well as Busia helped build, remains a formidable forcefulness inwards the Ghanaian polity.
Indeed, Dr Danquah’s legacy tin give notice live seen inwards the sort of political scheme -- multiparty democracy, dominion of law, private liberty as well as gratis enterprise – which the Fourth Republican Constitution re-introduced to Republic of Ghana inwards 1992. Again, the emergence of the New Patriotic Party over the in conclusion decade as, arguably, the largest political political party inwards Ghana, is also a will to his vision as well as greatness. Danquah’s set of ideas continues to live extremely relevant to the resolution of our nation’s problems.
In his ain words, it was at the feet of the eminent nationalist, “Ekra Agyeman, otherwise known as Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford, that I was brought up, similar St Paul nether Gamaliel, as well as it was from Ekra Agyeman that I learned selfless politics as the sacrificing of one’s self totally for one’s ain country. I sat nether his feet from 1915 to his ain decease inwards 1930.”
Danquah as well as Nkrumah both have got their detractors but the respective contributions that the 2 contemporaries made to our history – Danquah inwards item to the sort of democratic civilisation growing inwards Africa as well as Nkrumah to the Pan-African dream of a united Africa which silent agitates the minds of those who seek Africa’s wellbeing -- tin give notice never live washed off past times faux propaganda. Let us hail our heroes.
This article was published past times the Danquah Institute, a think tank dedicated to the philosophy as well as works of Danquah.
source:http://www.ghanadot.com/commentary.Danquahinstitute.danquah.021411.html
Tribute to J.B Danquah
By kwesi atta sakyi
16th Jan 2013
Joseph Boakye Danquah has been described as the doyen of Ghanaian politics. This accolade was given to him past times that Watson Commission of 1948 which was set upwardly next the riots inwards the Gold Coast. Danquah as well as Busia belonged to the Dombo or Matemeho conservative as well as federalist schoolhouse of thought inwards Ghana’s political history. J.B. Danquah was an Akyem from the royal identify unit of measurement of Kyebi (Kibi). In 1921, he was sponsored past times the Abuakwa State to travel as well as read law inwards the UK. Before as well as so he had completed as well as passed his measure 7 examination. He was apprenticed to a renowned lawyer inwards Accra, where he worked for some fourth dimension before beingness assigned to the Supreme Court, as well as after to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs. In the UK, he earned his start grade from the University of London as well as upon passing amongst flight colours, he went on to earn his Phd inwards Moral Philosophy as well as Logic, the start West African to make so. Danquah was a maternal uncle of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. When Nkrumah was invited past times Ako Adjei from the UK to travel the Secretary General of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the UGCC was led past times stalwarts similar J.B. Danquah, Paa Willie or William Ofori Atta, Pa Grant as well as others similar Casely Hayford. Those were amid the intelligentsia inwards the as well as so Gold Coast. UGCC was founded inwards 1947 past times J.B. Danquah, George Alfred Grant (timber merchant), Robert Benjamin Blay as well as Awoonor Williams, a Sekondi Barrister.
Danquah’s private life was total of romance. While inwards London from 1921 to 1927, he fathered 2 sons as well as 2 daughters from 2 women, none of whom he married. When he got dorsum to the Gold Coast, he got married to the miss of a prominent lawyer. The lass’ call was Mable Dove. Later, he married his instant wife, Elizabeth Vardon. Who inwards Danquah’s spot inwards those days would non have got fallen for the ladies, or rather the ladies would non have got fallen for him? On his render to the Gold Coast inwards 1927, he was offered the post of master copy at Achimota College to succeed no less a individual than James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey. He declined the offering as well as set upwardly his ain private law practice. In those days, private chambers run past times blacks were uncommon, as well as I guess Danquah was an enterprising entrepreneur, who saw opportunities galore or a marketplace gap to exploit. Danquah was born on 21st December, 1895 at Bempong-Kwahu to Emmanuel Yaw Boakye, as well as Madam Lydia Okum Korantewaa. Danquah’s begetter was principal drummer at the palace of Nana Amoako Atta III, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa. Danquah’s elderberry sibling from some other mother, who was fourteen years older, after became Nana Sir Ofori Atta. It was he who sponsored Danquah to travel as well as study inwards the UK. On his render from London, he set upwardly an influential paper known as the Times of West Africa. He served as the Secretary of a delegation to London inwards 1934 which was to petition the Colonial Office against the introduction of the obnoxious Sedition Bill as well as the Water Bill. Those bills were meant to throttle the rights as well as freedoms of our people. Danquah served as Secretary General of the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC) from 1937 to 1947. GCYC was founded inwards 1929 past times Casely Hayford. GCYC was the forerunner of the UGCC. He was elected to the Legislative Council inwards 1946, nether the Burn’s Constitution. He fought relentlessly to convey nearly constitutional reforms. He championed the cause of farmers so much so that he was awarded a citation past times the farmers, who called him Akuafo Kanea (The Light of the farmers). Danquah helped to found the United Gold Coast Convention, which demanded self regime for the Gold Coast. The UGCC was founded on 4th August 1947 at Saltpond.
On 13th March 1948, he was arrested amongst the Big Six next the 1948 riots which had before on culminated inwards the shooting at the Crossroads, on 28th Feb 1948, of Sergeant Adjetey, close the Christianborg Castle. The ex-servicemen were on their way to the Castle to nowadays their petition when 1 colonial constabulary officeholder called Imray, ordered their shooting. One Ga Chief, Nii Kwabena Bonne III, Osu Atala Mantse, organized a boycott of all European shops as well as at that spot was looting as well as pillaging of shops across the length as well as breadth of the Gold Coast Colony. The Colony was ungovernable, as well as the Governor had to telephone outcry upwardly inwards troops from Nigeria to quell the riot. Danquah used his influence as well as tenacity to convince the Asante (Ashanti) to travel part of the coastal colony. He fiercely fought to have got the indigenization of the civil service, as well as authorisation of the legislative assembly past times African representatives. Indeed, Danquah was a truthful as well as existent patriot. His 1943 constitutional memorandum formed the ground of the 1945 Burn’s Constitution.
In 1951, he was over again elected to the Legislative Council, which was a really much privileged spot inwards those colonial days. He failed to live elected inwards the 1954 as well as 1956 elections. When he lost, he claimed the elections were rigged. In 1960, Danquah contested the presidential elections against Nkrumah inwards the Presidential elections but he received solely 10% of the votes cast. In 1961, he was imprisoned nether the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) as well as was released inwards 1962. He became the President of the Republic of Ghana Bar Association. He was rearrested inwards 1964 as well as sent to the condemned cells at the infamous Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he died of a take in assault on 4th February, 1962, aged 69 years.
Danquah was a prolife writer. He wrote 2 keen books namely, Akan Laws as well as Customs (1928) as well as Akan Doctrine of God (1944). His works are silent consulted past times students of sociology, law, cultural studies, amid others. While a pupil inwards London from 1921 to 1927, he became the Editor-President of the West African Students Union (WASU), to which Nkrumah also belonged during his brief rest inwards the UK from the USA.
In 1934, patch on a petition delegation to London, he researched at the British Museum as well as came upwardly amongst the call Republic of Ghana for the as well as so Gold Coast. He researched as well as discovered that Ghanaians are descended from the ancient empire of Republic of Ghana which flourished betwixt the 4th as well as twelve centuries at the Niger bend, close nowadays 24-hour interval Timbucktoo. The call Republic of Ghana must have got come upwardly from the Guan call Gyan or Djan. Out of the call Gyan, nosotros have got anglicized versions similar Ghunney, Ghansah, Ghartey, amid others. In 1954, after he lost elections massively to the CPP, patch running on the ticket of the UGCC, he was invited to New York past times the United Nations to have the Bryony Mumford Writing Fellowship, which had tenure of 3 months. When he arrived dorsum inwards the country, he was conferred amongst the championship of Twafohene past times the Abuakwa State, amongst the stool call of Barima Kwame Kyeretwie Dankwa. Among his illustrious accomplishments was his unyielding scrap to have got the University of Republic of Ghana established inwards 1948. The British had proposed the institution of solely 1 academy for the whole of West Africa but Danquah refused. I wonder why nosotros have got no Danquah Hall at Legon. I was at that spot at Legon Hall from 1975 to 1978.
It was Danquah who fought for the institution of the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) inwards 1947. It was Danquah who vigorously canvassed the people of Asante as well as the as well as so Northern Territories to bring together the Gold Coast Colony to travel what nosotros know today as modern Ghana. Of course, Nkrumah also did his flake past times using the 1956 Plebiscite to annex Trans Volta Togoland to travel modern 24-hour interval Volta Region of Ghana. Nkrumah was vehemently opposed past times secessionists such as Dr R.G. Armattoe as well as Kofi Anton. Danquah believed strongly inwards liberal democracy, hence his thought of federalism as well as a ministerial scheme of regime for Ghana. However, Nkrumah was diametrically opposed to the thought of federation as he felt a unitary province was best for Ghana. At a dot inwards time, Danquah felt that his dream had been stolen past times the radical Nkrumah, hence his implacable as well as vehement resistance to Nkrumah. Danquah joined the National Liberation Movement (NLM) as well as after the Republic of Ghana Congress Party (GCP). The NLM was dubbed a federalist or Matemeho political party because their political tactics were sometimes based on violence, hence the offshoot of the ‘All pop off live die’ of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo of the electrical current NPP. Danquah worked amongst people similar Sir Arku Korsah (first Ghanaian Chief Justice) as well as Kojo Thompson to make a 400 page draft constitution for the Gold Coast. It is proper as well as befitting for us to honour our illustrious leaders as well as pioneers. Today, nosotros have got Danquah Circle inwards Accra, as well as the annual Danquah Memorial Lectures at the University Of Cape Coast. At 1 time, our distinguished boy of the soil, Busumbrum Kofi Annan, offered the sentiment that Nkrumah’s brash radicalism cost Republic of Ghana a lot. Perhaps, Kofi Annan would have got loved Republic of Ghana to have got gone the way of Republic of Botswana where Sir Seretse Khama worked steadily as well as closely amongst the old colonial master copy till the province attained independence inwards 1966. Botswana as well as so was a really poor desert country. It was much after when diamonds were discovered past times the De Beers Group from South Africa. Today, Botswana’s success story inwards Africa is good documented. At the fourth dimension of Ghana’s indepence, it was estimated that a princely amount of 270 1000000 pounds was left inwards the province coffers. Who would dubiety that Nkrumah did non handle our economic scheme prudently? Well, posterity is the judge.
However, had Republic of Ghana followed Danquah’s conservative as well as constitutional step-by-step process, Ghana’s independence could have got delayed past times 10 years or more. Danquah was British trained patch Nkrumah was American trained. Thus, Nkrumah evinced the American traits of proficient salesmanship, marketing, theatrics, radicalism as well as love for adventure. On the other hand, Danquah wanted everything to live negotiated as well as processed through the courtroom physical care for of due process, or through formalized channels. Thus, nosotros tin give notice at nowadays understand the diametrically opposed strategies as well as natures of Danquah as well as Nkrumah. If the 2 had collaborated, Ghana’s history would have got taken quite a different trajectory. However, what is writ is writ as well as fate cannot live changed. As I write this article, E.T Mensah’s highlife melody rings inwards my ears, giving me nostalgic feelings of those politically stormy days when nosotros used to chant as children, the words, ‘PP obeko Assembly, Dombo Krakye, Orennko Assembly’ ,or ‘Odombo, Odombo, Dombo-soo me’. E.T Mensah sang, ‘Am for you, Titi, Am for you, I dey waiting Mama, I dey waiting Papa, Am for you. Am for you, Titi am for you. Look out for the side past times side tribute to Osagyefo Kantamanto Oseeadeayo Kwame Nkrumah.
Remembering the Doyen of Gold Coast politics
By: AKUA ADUTWUMWAA MROSA
EXACTLY 29 days from today, the Feb 6, 2007, Republic of Ghana volition celebrate her Independence Golden Jubilee. On the Feb 4, 1965, the 1 who researched for the call “Ghana’ died inwards chains exactly for championing a cause. After 42, this land is yet to give Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, the greatest patriot of all times, that recognition.
Indeed “The Big Six” namely, Dr. Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Messrs Edward Akuffo Addo, Obetsebi–Lamptey, William Ofori Atta as well as Ako Adjei are solely mentioned inwards passing. I would fifty-fifty create it “The Big Seven” – include George Grant, who was as well as so the backbone of the United Gold Coast Convention.
Three others – Sgt. Odartey Lamptey, Cpl. Attipoe as well as Adjetey lost their lives during the 1948 disturbances. I dare say that all the names mentioned higher upwardly have got non been adequately recognized. As a affair of fact, the history of our keen land had been greatly distorted. This land did non set about from 1957. “We must retrieve the past times inwards monastic enjoin to displace Forward (SanKofa)”. Our Children must live told our history, as well as this is the right time, otherwise posterity volition non pardon us.
Since Feb 4 marked the 42nd anniversary of the decease of 1 of our patriots, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, I want to dedicate this article to his retention as well as recall some of the attributes credited to him.
Many of Dr. Danquah’s admirers wrote tributes to his retention as well as I quote a few of their captions as follows:
The Price of Leadership, – past times Dr. Nnamdi Aziiwe, old President of the Republic of Nigeria.
The Goal you lot sought to Reach ever eluded you, – past times Prof. K.A. Busia, old Prime Minister of Ghana.
You were a keen Nationalist, – past times Chief Obafemi Awolowo, old leader of the Action Group inwards Nigeria.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 human being of Great Principles, – past times Bafour Osei Akoto, old Chairman of the National Liberation Movement.
Destined to live Ghana’s un-installed President, – past times K.G. Konuah old Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
You did non seek after personal fame or riches, – past times Sir, Robert Armitage, old Governor, Nyasaland, as well as old Financial Secretary of the Gold Coast.
Champion of the People’s Rights, - past times Nana Akyin I, old President of Central Region House of Chiefs.
You were the unquestioned leader, – past times Dingle Foot Q.C. Solicitor-General of the United Kingdom.
An architect of the truthful Freedom as well as Justice, – past times Nana Kwao Fraiku III, old President of the Western Region House of Chiefs
You set downward your life for Ghana, – past times Archie Casely – Hayford.
Danquah: Akuafo Kanea, – past times Koi Labie (Barrister-at-Law).
Men of your caliber are rare inwards Ghana, – past times R.S. Blay.
You gave us the call Ghana, – past times K. Brakatu Ateku, start Treasurer of the Gold Coast Youth Conference.
You died a martyr to the dominion of the law, – past times Prof. L.H. Ofosu-Appiah, Director, Encyclopaedia Africana.
Last but non the least, Lance Mallalieu Q.C. said, “It was you lot who led as well as achieved Ghana’s Independence for Ghana”.
Reflecting on the higher upwardly attributes brings a amend agreement of the human being Dr. Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah. Since his death, 1 or 2 historians as well as writers have got come upwardly out amongst some of his achievements. It seems, however, that Danquah’s achievements have got either been taken for granted or due cognizance has non been given to them
JB indeed played an indefatigable role inwards edifice our nation. As nosotros celebrate our Golden Jubilee, nosotros must also call upwardly that Ghana, formally the Gold Coast, did non start cast 1957. Ghanaians must know where nosotros actually are coming from, inwards monastic enjoin to build upon it. In fact this land is non 50 years old, it is the Independence which is 50. We must non distort our rich history. It was also fourth dimension nosotros gave credit where it was due.
Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah was born on Dec 21, 1895. At historic menstruation 20, JB was already a clerk of the Supreme Court, Accra. By the fourth dimension he turned 32 inwards 1927, he had been awarded a PhD, belike the start inwards West Africa to attain that feat.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 twelvemonth before he had served as the Editor of the Magazine for the West Africa Students Union (WASU) as well as as President for the Gold Coast Student’s Association inwards the United Kingdom. Since then, he remained inwards the forefront of national affairs as well as inwards 1929 became a foundation officeholder of the Gold Coast Youth Conference (GCYC).
JB started his scrap against the British really early. In 1930, he published essays inwards the Gold Coast Spectator to oppose the reduction of African Civil Servants salaries past times Sir Ransford Slater’s government. At the asking of the Hon. J.E. Casely Hayford MBE, JB drafted a petition of unofficial members of the Legislature Council to the Secretary of State on the patch of study of reduction of African Civil Servants initial salary from £60 to £48 pounds (Sixty pounds to Forty-eight pounds) per annum.
Dr. Danquah played many pioneering roles towards our land building. He was the start to flora the start daily newspaper, West African Times as well as after named, The Times of West Africa (1930 – 1935). Through the medium of that paper he pioneered the battle for freedom. The Times of West Africa denounced the imperialist dominion of 1 race past times some other as well as read into the Bond of 1844, the right of the Gold Coast people to liberty for which he fought all his life.
As a political crusader, her assumed the call “Zidig” inwards the Times column to expose as well as criticize the hypocritical deeds of the day. In 1934, JB was the secretarial assistant for the delegation which went to Great Britain to protestation against the Gold Coast sedition ordinance passed inwards that year.
With the insatiable want to travel on to serve the province inwards various ways, Dr. Danquah entered the Legislative Council inwards 1946. During his term as a legislator (1946 – 1950), he was said to have got asked an average of 99 questions per session on a multifariousness of issues of populace interest; 119 questions inwards 1947, 86 inwards 1948, 92 inwards 1949 as well as 102 inwards 1950. They were non exactly questions but meaningful, constructive, as well as valuable contributions were also made.
There was no dubiety how concerned he was nearly his country. Among his invaluable contributions was his initiative to tabling a displace inwards the legislative council that the regime should flora a national banking company for the Gold Coast. This displace was tabled on Dec 9, 1949. At the time, Barclays Bank DCO (Dominion Colonial Overseas) was performing all the higher banking operations that a land mightiness live expected to undertake. For this reason, the British Colonial Government felt that at that spot was no demand to flora a national bank.
Dr. Danquah, however, contended that at that spot must live some generation of revenue inwards the higher scheme of banking, “if it had non been the case, Barclays would non have got come upwardly hither to operate at that level. Therefore, inwards view of the fact that it is amend for the Gold Coast to retain these profits inwards this country, it must live amend for us to flora a national banking company to make that travel for us which Barclays are at nowadays beingness invited to do”, Dr. Danquah concluded. Hence, the institution of the Bank of the Gold Coast at nowadays Bank of Ghana, as well as the Republic of Ghana Commercial Bank.
From his resources as well as his ain initiative, Dr. Danquah researched into the history as well as traditions of the Gold Coast inwards 1928 as well as asserted that at that spot was a link betwixt the ancient Sudanese empire of Republic of Ghana as well as the Gold Coast. Pursuant to his writing as well as presentations, our province the “Gold Coast” was renamed “Ghana” after Independence inwards 1957. He was instrumental inwards bringing nearly the union betwixt Ashanti as well as the southern parts of the province inwards the Burns Constitution of 1946.
Ghana’s foremost universities
Dr. Danquah was a fellow member of the Elliot Commission formed inwards 1944 to advise the British Government on the institution of a academy for British West Africa. A bulk of the members recommended Ibadan, Nigeria, as the site of the University for West Africa. Dr. J.B. Danquah wrote a minority written report advocating a dissever academy for the Gold Coast. It was, therefore, on the recommendation of Dr. Danquah that the University College of the Gold Coast was founded inwards 1948.
After Legon, the British did non think to build whatever to a greater extent than universities inwards the country, but Dr. Danquah challenged the British that nosotros did non demand solely a academy for the humanities but also some other for scientific discipline as well as technology. When the British asked him where the coin for such a projection could come upwardly from, Danquah retorted, “Where is our cocoa coin that you lot stack upwardly inwards your country”?
Eventually, the British had to agree, as well as this gave way to the nascency of the Kumasi College of Technology (KCT). Indeed, Dr. Danquah himself played a leading role inwards the selection of site etc. He took the as well as so Secretary for Education, Mr. Tom Barton, to Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II to inform him nearly the government’s intention to start a University of Science as well as Technology. Otumfuo amongst joy at 1 time offered to give them his assistance, past times offering 3 sites to select from.
These were the nowadays Yaa Asantewaa Campus, a instant at Fumesua as well as the nowadays site. Otumfuo asked no other individual to take away them circular than the belatedly Otumfuo Opoku Ware II who had as well as so exactly completed Adisadel College as well as was working as a clerk inwards the Asantehene Lands Office. The immature Opoku Ware took Danquah as well as Barton to the 3 sites as well as Danquah personally chose the nowadays site. He fifty-fifty went farther as well as took part inwards the surveying of the land. This gesture earned him a membership to the College Council.
Work started at 1 time as well as inwards Jan 1951, the Kumasi College of Technology was opened. One must annotation that Mr. Kwame Nkrumah became Head of Government inwards 1952, over a twelvemonth after KCT had been established.
Dr. Danquah was non solely into politics as well as education; he also had passion for sports, games as well as recreation. He, therefore, showed his foresight inwards promoting sports inwards this country, fifty-fifty before independence. He was at the forefront of the institution of the Accra Sports Stadium.
In 1948, Dr. J.B. Danquah as well as Mr. George Grant established the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). In fact, JB was its creator as well as the driving forcefulness behind it.
Throughout the early on days of the UGCC, he exhibited his vision for the Gold Coast as the Alan Burns Constitution indicated. He was a liberal democrat as well as was of the view that the cast of regime for the private must live paramount. He sought ways of uniting the youth, past times forming the Gold Coast Youth League. He also found it necessary to bond the chiefs as well as the intelligentsia past times seeking their views on of import issues.
Throughout his motion to the Legislative Assembly, his symbol was the elephant as well as inwards 1951 he was elected inwards the Legislative Assembly as start rural fellow member of Akyem Abuakwa on the ticket of the UGCC nether the novel constitution of start elected African Government. He was awarded First Bryant Munford Fellowship of the United Nations.
J.B. Danquah never forget his roots as well as on Jan 11, 1955 he was raised to the status of Twafohene or Chief of the Vanguard of Akyem Abuakwa past times the State Council as well as given the championship Barima Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah. The same year, he was appointed fellow member of The College Council of the Kumasi College of Technology.
During the motion towards Independence, the CPP’s slogan became “Self-Government now” (around 1948) as well as that of the United Party was “Self-Government inside the shortest possible time”. One would realize that after all it took the province 8 years (1949 – 1957) before nosotros gained Independence. After all it was non “Self-Government. now”.
At Independence when his dearest ambition inwards life – Self-Government for Republic of Ghana – was realized, he was amid ix of xx hand-picked foundation members of the Republic of Ghana Academy of Science.
When Kwame Nkrumah virtually introduced one–party province inwards the country, Dr. Danquah was the solely 1 who stood against him as well as inwards 1960 was nominated past times the United Party as well as stood against Kwame Nkrumah for the start Presidency of the Republic of Ghana. Even though he lost, he won a number of unexpected votes.
The Times of London described Dr. Danquah as the “fearless Critic for Dr. Nkrumah” as well as this earned JB the detentions without trial, start inwards 1961. His alleged criminal offence was that he had conspired amongst some capitalist traders to have the workers at Sekondi – Takoradi to travel on strike against the government. He was released on June 20, 1962. On Jan 8, 1964 he was arrested as well as detained over again without trial at the Nsawam Prisons. He was spot inwards jail cellular telephone No.9.
The condemned jail cellular telephone itself had a really high wall as well as a really rigid atomic number 26 gate inside the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison. From the high Iron Gate, you lot are led to some other atomic number 26 door which leads to the cells. Each jail cellular telephone had its ain atomic number 26 door amongst a little pinhole. It was nearly 3ft. past times 6ft. thick. In the cement flooring of the jail cellular telephone No. nine where J.B. Danquah lodged, was fixed a chain which was used to chain him. One would wonder why the chain if at that spot were all these atomic number 26 gates as well as doors.
Dr. Danquah got the air current of his arrest before as well as his admirers advised him to escape but this is what he said, “If I run away, my identify unit of measurement as well as children would non know my whereabouts but if I am inwards the province they would know my whereabouts”. This was the human being JB, really brave as well as courageous, but higher upwardly all a identify unit of measurement man, a father.
On Feb 4, 1965 he died inwards the cells. Indeed, he died a martyr. He did non seek personal fame or riches.
Interestingly, Dr. Danquah died 42 years agone as well as at that spot have got been a few governments but none of them have got thought it wise to have got a plumbing equipment memorial for this man. His concluding funeral rites have got non fifty-fifty been held. When Danquah wanted to innovate commonwealth into the country, he was mocked at as well as given all kinds of names as well as slogans example, “Danquah Domo domo socks”.
As nosotros celebrate the country’s Jubilee, it is the opportune fourth dimension to call upwardly our heroes, namely Odartey Lamptey, Adjetey, as well as Attipoe, as good as those I want to refer to as the Big Seven, non the Big Six. Ghana did non start from 1957; many fought as well as set downward their lives for Ghana. Their efforts must non live inwards vain.
I telephone outcry upwardly on the Republic of Ghana at 50 Secretariat to re-examine their programme for the celebration as well as create some provision for our heroes. I telephone outcry upwardly on the New Patriotic Party to notice out nearly the identify unit of measurement members of the heroes on whose wings they are flight now.
One may say that names similar Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa, Akuffo-Addo as well as Obetsebi-Lamptey are included but they are amongst the regime on their ain merit. Families of these heroes went through an ordeal. We did non consider them making their instance at the National Reconciliation Commission because they knew at that spot was no need. (http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=65&archiveid=658&page=1&adate=06/02/2007)
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