Speaker Bagbin, other prominent leaders’ glowing tributes to J.B Danquah to be launched at 60th-anniversary event

A historic commemorative compendium capturing some of the most profound tributes to Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, including statements from Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, former Majority Leader Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Hon. Fritz Baffour, and many others, is set to be launched on Sunday, 9th March 2025, at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Kyebi.

The J.B. Danquah 60th Anniversary Commemorative Compendium, published under the auspices of the Twafohene of Akyem Abuakwa, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio, brings together a wealth of parliamentary statements, scholarly reflections, and historical tributes, cementing Dr. Danquah’s place as one of Ghana’s most influential political thinkers, legal minds, and architects of nationhood.

A Bipartisan Tribute to an Enduring Legacy

Among the many tributes captured in the compendium, Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin’s remarks on the floor of Parliament on 5th February 2014 stand out for their clarity and conviction. Reflecting on Dr. Danquah’s contributions to Ghana and Africa, Speaker Bagbin stated, “Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Dr. J.B. Danquah was an icon, not only of Ghana but of Africa. The records are there; the performance and the struggle for us to achieve independence are all in the books.”

His statement was echoed by Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, the then Majority Leader, who emphasized Danquah’s dense commitment to civil liberties and the rule of law. He noted, “Mr. Speaker, I am particularly happy that the maker of the statement had focused on two very important attributes of Dr. J. B. Danquah. The one on civil liberties and then the respect for the rule of law. These, in my view, have always represented the non-political side of what he stood for, what he had sought for and, as Mandela said, what he was prepared to die for, and perhaps has eventually died for.”

The statement by Hon. Fritz Baffour, as captured in the 4th February 2015 Parliamentary Hansard, also emphasizes Dr. Danquah’s role as one of the intellectual architects of modern Ghana. He stated, “It was people and men like Dr. J.B. Danquah who gave us the ethos of nationhood. He gave us the name of the nation. He gave us the purpose of the nation, a nation that would look after her citizenry.”

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, in his statement delivered on 5th February 2015, highlighted Danquah’s advocacy for farmers, which earned him the title ‘Akuafo Kanea’ (The Light of Farmers). He remarked, “Mr. Speaker, there was also one good thing about Dr. Danquah, which my Hon. colleague rightly captured, that he fought for the course of farmers. In fact, that is why they referred to him as – my Twi is not good – ‘Akuafo Kanea’ (The Light of Farmers) – [Laughter]. This was because of his role in 1947 in establishing the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB). This is a useful lesson.”

A Collection of 60 Statements to Mark 60 Years of Legacy

The J.B. Danquah 60th Anniversary Commemorative Compendium is a scholarly and historical masterpiece that captures the essence of Danquah’s enduring influence. The publication features a total of 60 statements, symbolically marking the 60th anniversary of his passing, and includes reflections from notable figures such as former President Akufo-Addo, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, current Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and several other eminent statesmen, legal minds, and thought leaders.

The compendium also includes excerpts from Joe Appiah’s address at the 7th series of the J.B. Danquah Memorial Lectures, alongside Prof. Justice A.K.P. Kludze’s scholarly reflections on Danquah’s legal legacy and contributions to Ghana’s constitutional development.

A Tribute Beyond Politics: Honouring the Traditional and Intellectual Foundations of Okyeman

Beyond politics, the compendium also pays homage to Danquah’s deep traditional and cultural ties to Okyeman. It captures glowing tributes from some of Ghana’s most revered traditional leaders, including Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene; Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo, the Okuapehene; Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, the Manwerehene of Akyem Abuakwa; and the Amantomiensa Hene, a custodian of Okyeman’s security and traditions. Their reflections emphasize Danquah’s role as a statesman whose influence extended beyond politics into Ghana’s legal, cultural, and intellectual heritage.

A National Moment of Reflection and Celebration

The launch event on 9th March 2025 at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Kyebi, promises to be a significant occasion, bringing together Ghana’s political elite, legal minds, scholars, traditional rulers, and media professionals. This historic gathering will serve as a national moment of reflection, appreciation, and recommitment to the democratic ideals that Dr. Danquah championed.

For six decades, his vision, intellect, and sacrifices have continued to shape Ghana’s democratic and constitutional landscape. His unrelenting advocacy for individual freedoms, rule of law, and accountable governance set the stage for the democratic institutions that Ghana and much of Africa enjoy today. The J.B. Danquah 60th Anniversary Commemorative Compendium is a monumental publication that ensures his contributions are not only remembered but studied, debated, and upheld by generations to come.

 

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