On March 9, 2025, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin highlighted Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s essential contributions to Ghana’s democracy during a commemoration of his passing. Danquah, a significant nationalist figure and advocate for constitutional reforms, sacrificed his life for the love of Ghana, leaving a lasting legacy in the country’s political development.
The contributions of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, a prominent figure in Ghana’s development and known as one of the ‘Big Six’, were emphasized by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin. During a commemoration event on March 9, 2025, marking the 60th anniversary of Danquah’s passing, he stated that the modern democracy in Ghana stems from Danquah’s vision. He highlighted how Danquah sacrificed his life for his country.
Afenyo-Markin described JB Danquah as a remarkable patriot whose legacy permeates Ghana’s political, intellectual, and constitutional realms. He noted that Danquah was not just a politician and scholar but also an artist and historian whose lifelong dedication aimed to establish the fundamental principles underpinning Ghana’s democracy.
The Member of Parliament from Effutu remarked that the civil liberties enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana were fought for by Danquah and his contemporaries. He affirmed that the democratic ideals of accountability, free expression, free enterprise, and rule of law championed by Danquah since the 1920s were ultimately realized in Ghana’s current constitutional framework, leading to the country’s longest period of democratic governance.
Dr. JB Danquah was born in December 1895 in Bempong and passed away on February 4, 1965, at Nsawam. He led efforts for constitutional reforms as a prominent opposition leader to Kwame Nkrumah. Following his education in law and philosophy in London, he returned to the Gold Coast in 1927 to establish a private law practice and launched the “Times of West Africa” newspaper in 1931.
He was integral in founding the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), advocating for self-governance, and holding various significant political positions, including membership in the Legislative Council. Although he faced imprisonment and electoral defeats, Danquah’s legacy includes his significant literary contributions, such as “Gold Coast: Akan Laws and Customs” and “The Akan Doctrine of God.”
Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah’s contributions to Ghana are commemorated for having laid the groundwork of the nation’s democracy, advocating for freedoms that remain integral today. His passion for constitutional reform and his ultimate sacrifices reveal the profound impact he had on shaping Ghana’s political landscape, ensuring that his legacy continues to influence the present governance of the country.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
