Relevance of JB Danquah to Ghana’s 60th Anniversary
In the light of Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary and the year-long celebration of the event, as well as the need to shed light on relevant figures who have contributed to the country’s democracy, it is worthwhile to mention a democratic stalwart who is often forgotten, though wrongly, in the annals of the country’s political history.
Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s dynamic role cannot be swept under the carpet, but there is also no doubt that one of the greatest sons ever produced by this country is Dr Joseph Kwame Tweretwie Boakye Danquah who believed in the tenets of freedom, rule of law, equity and justice. The late J.B. Danquah, one of the Big Six, had an impressively inspiring passion for the national cause.
So patriotic was he that he placed the betterment of this country beyond any other consideration, hence the honour of naming “Danquah Circle” in Osu, Accra after him. In fact, before exiting political office as President, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings had cause to build a statue in honour of J.B. Danquah at the same spot within the roundabout or circle already named after him.
Indeed, as is often said, a country that does not remember its dead is not worth dying for. For this reason, Ghana needs to remember all its past leaders for the great role they played during the pre- and post-independence era.
On Saturday, February 4, 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a pledge to pursue democracy at the graveside of this great man when he laid a wreath in remembrance of him. The President stated that: “The work you did, the values you stood for are today the principles on which our nation is being built. You never held office and yet the work you have done has gone beyond the work of all those who have held offices.”
The wreath-laying ceremony at Kyebi in the Eastern Region in remembrance of Dr J.B. Danquah helped to bring to focus the great role played by the late J.B, as he was affectionately known, in the annals of the history of Ghana. He believed in the rule of law, good governance, freedom of the individual and democracy.
Qualities of J.B
He stood against suppression of the individual, dictatorial tendencies and lack of openness in government. He played a significant role in pre- and post-colonial Ghana and, in fact, is credited with giving Ghana its name. J.B. Danquah was described as the "doyen of Gold Coast politics" by the Watson Commission of Enquiry into the 1948 Accra riots.
On the issue of rule of law, J.B. Danquah believed that it was what the law said that should be made to regulate the conduct of politics in society. He also believed in good governance, pointing out that the individual should not be taken for granted but included in the process of rule of law. So strong was his unending commitment to liberal democracy that it led to his death under bizarre circumstances at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in 1965.
Dr Danquah made no secret about his preference for the liberal democratic model and free market as against state control and dictatorship. These were the qualities which established him firmly as an advocate of a liberal democratic political tradition in the politics of Ghana. He also believed that a political party should be used to liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property-owning democracy in this country; with right to life, freedom and justice as the principles to which the government and laws of the land should be dedicated in order to specifically enrich life, property and liberty of each and every citizen.
As citizens of Ghana, irrespective of the part of the country we come from or the work we do, if we legitimately and genuinely work hard in freedom to make some money and put up some property, no one would stand up against us.
Today, J.B. Danquah is no more but his beliefs and ideals continue to be a source of inspiration and guidance for many countries in Africa, including Ghana, that have chosen the path of rule of law and democracy as against dictatorship and autocracy. Any individual in Ghana today can legitimately stand up and criticise or express a contrary view to government, the President or any official without the fear of being arrested and thrown into jail without a fair trial.
Thus each time Ghana is praised for her democratic credentials, we must know that democracy, as known and admired today, did not emerge overnight in this country. The dark days in the history of the country where political power was misused and misapplied to suppress, repress and oppress the will of the people, both under military and non-military dictatorships, are now a thing of the past.
Due to the role played by democratic stalwarts and other nationalist figures like J.B. Danquah, Ghana has now seen the light and will continue to move in that direction, bearing in mind that rule of law and democracy are what the people want. The noble people of this great nation must continue to exhibit their democratic credentials for the promotion and facilitation of rapid economic growth and development in the interest of all. This must be the goal, dream, aim and purpose of all citizens so as to be able to push the country along a smooth path of progress, freedom and development under the culture of rule of law.
The writer is Head of Public Relations, Ghana Standards Authority, Accra