Dignitaries at JB’s one-week rites
The observance of the one-week rites in connection with the death of Mr J B Danquah-Adu, a member of Parliament (MP), attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including politicians from both sides of the political divide as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
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The solemn ceremony in Accra on Thursday made the New Patriotic Party ( NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) bury their political differences for a moment and jointly mourned the departed MP for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region.
The dignitaries who attended the ceremony included the Vice President, Paa Kwasi Amissah Arthur, and the NPP presidential candidate for the 2016 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, both of whom signed the book of condolence.
Pleasing scene
The most pleasing aspect of the solemn ceremony was when the embattled National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Paul Afoko, accompanied by the former chief of Staff in the Kufuor administration, Mr Kwadwo Okyere Mpiani, and the suspended second national vice chairman, Mr Sammy Crabbe, appeared at the funeral grounds and shook hands with Nana Akufo-Addo, his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Freddie Blay, the Acting National Chairman of NPP, amidst thunderous applause from the crowd.
The action attracted many journalists and cameramen present, as they drew closer to capture the moment.
Other dignitaries were Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a leading member of NPP; Mr C.K Tedam, the chairman of Council of Elders of the NPP; Mr Alfred Agbesi, the Deputy Majority leader in Parliament, and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority leader in Parliament; Dr Edmund Delle, the National Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), and Dr Henry Lartey, the leader and presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Peoples Party (GCPP).
Mr Kyei -Mensah -Bonsu, Mr Atta Akyea, MP for Abuakwa South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, and Ms Esther Obeng Dapaah, MP for Abirem, who described themselves as close friends of the late MP and chief mourners, told journalists that Mr Danquah-Adu was a gentleman, generous, humane, affable and tolerant, who related very well with all manner of people, no matter their political affiliations.
Ghana has lost
They said J.B was incorruptible and was prepared to help anybody who approached him for assistance, stressing that Parliament, Ghana and the world at large had lost a personality who is irreplaceable.
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The Okyenhene sent a high- powered delegation led by Barima Kwaku Duah, Nananomhene of Akyem Abuakwa, and Nana Asante Bediatuo, Akyeman Apagyahene, who were accompanied by drumming of the fontomfrom which brought vigour to the funeral grounds.
A number of aggrieved female relatives of the late J.B Danquah-Adu, from Akyem Old Tafo, who were clad in red and carried eggs and schnapps, poured libation and cursed the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
A delegation from the police service, led by Commissioner of Police, Ms Rose Bio Atinga, accompanied by COP Christian Yohunu, the Director General of Operations, also attended the ceremony.