Nkrumah could not justify detention of J.B. Danquah - K.B. Asante

Accra, Nov 29, GNA - Mr K. B. Asante, a retired Diplomat, has said Dr Kwame Nkrumah was remorseful about the detention of Dr J. B. Danquah under the Preventive Detention Act (PDA). "Nkrumah was not happy with the consequences of the PDA.he could not justify the detention of Danquah and wanted Danquah to stop writing those 'articles' for his release.

"But Dr Danquah would not agree to stop writing or saying his mind when released," Mr Asante stated at the climax of a five-day public lecture organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra at the weekend.

The lectures were to mark the 51st Founder's Week on the general theme: "Climate Change," which was chaired by Professor Reginald Fraser Amonoo, GAAS President.

Speaking on the theme: "Nkrumah's Political Philosophy and the Development of Ghana," Mr Asante who worked closely with the first President, said the PDA was passed by parliament based on the argument that, "The stability of the nation was threatened by acts which the normal legal systems could not deal with in good time".

He said Dr Nkrumah later attempted to appoint Dr Danquah as the Editor of the Ghana Law Report but was fiercely resisted by the then "Influential Young Turks of the CPP" made up of the socialist boys (Foot Soldiers) leading to the cancellation of the appointment.

Mr Asante revealed that President Nkrumah gave in to strong party pressures now and again "but knew when to be firm".

On the Kulungugu assassination attempt on Dr Nkrumah, Mr Asante noted that: "When Tawiah Adamafio, Cofie-Crabbe and Ako Adjei were condemned to death for organising the assassination attempt, many leading members of the party wanted the President to confirm the death penalty. "The Central Committee of the party which was the highest party institution 'higher than the Cabinet' voted for the execution with one dissenting voice. Despite strong party pressure President Nkrumah commuted the death sentences to life imprisonment".

On the imposition of a one-party state by Dr Nkrumah, Mr Asante said the first President's idea was to accelerate development and create room for an all inclusive government.

"The President told me, 'Asante you know I have established many projects and institutions and I do not have the best people to manage them. Recently I appointed competent, non-party people to certain positions. Party leaders stormed into my office and said there was uproar in the party because I had appointed Dombo-people to key positions. "I had to rescind the appointments. In a one-party state I can appoint the most competent' ".

Mr Asante noted: "Nkrumah was human and he made mistakes but his achievements were great. "His selflessness deserves emulation. His singleness of purpose demands attention. He has led us to create one nation with one destiny despite our bickering today."