Akyem Abuakwa holds durbar in memory of Danquah

Kyebi (Eastern Region) - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday joined the chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa to hold a grand durbar in memory of their illustrious son, the late Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, who died 37 years ago in political detention.

Dr Danquah, was among the "Big Six" who were the architects of Ghana's independence struggle and among four of those who had their origin from the Akyem Abuakwa State. They others included William Ofori-Atta, Edward Akuff-Addo and Dr Ako Adjei.

The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, accompanied by the Gyasehene of the traditional area, the Kwabenhene Osabarima Dakwa Woe, rode in palanquins through the town amidst traditional drumming and firing of musketry to the durbar grounds at the forecourt of the Ofori Paninfie(Palace).

Among the dignitaries who accompanied President Kufuor included the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, the Senior Minister, J.H. Mensah, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice who is also the MP for Abuakwa, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Communications and Technology, Hon. Felix Owusu Agyepong, the Minister of Trade and Industries, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu and the Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah.

Also in attendance was the Okuapehene and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Oseadeeyo, Addo Dankwa 111 and over a hundred tourists from the US attending the Ghana Jazz and Heritage Festival promoted by the Okyeman.

Addressing the durbar, President Kufuor paid glowing tribute to Dr Danquah, whom, he said was highly venerated not only by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for being the initiator of its political tradition but the government and the entire nation since he worked tirelessly for its freedom and democratic rule.

He described him as a philosopher and visionary, who had the welfare of the human person as his focus, saying, "he championed constitutional governance, rule of law and private property owning democracy."

President Kufuor regretted that "those who were short-sighted did not understand him, leading to his being detained and imprisoned till his death", adding, however, that, "what he prophesied (about democratic governance) has come true after over three decades, making Dr Danquah one of the greatest philosophers in the world."

According to President Kufuor, the nation could not pay tribute to Dr Danquah in kind, in spite of naming a circle in Accra after him or the annual memorial lectures instituted by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in his honour.

He described Kyebi as the "Mecca" of the NPP and promised the people of Akyem Abuakwa that the government would be prepared to join them organise a fitting funeral in honour of Dr Danquah whenever they found it fit to do so.

Earlier, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin also paid tribute to Dr Danquah's distinguished contribution towards the independence of the country and commended President Kufuor for joining the people to honour their "political mentor".

He lauded the President for his sense of humility and commitment to tackle the country's difficult socio-economic conditions. Osagyefuo Ofori Panin stated that if four of the "Big Six" hailed from the area, then they required a fair share of the national cake since the area was closely associated with the tradition of the NPP to the extent that "we are branded opposition in power".

He asked the government to embark on a vigorous rural development programme that the NPP's tradition was noted for and to ensure that poverty was no barrier to the education and development of the people.

The Okyenhene later installed Paxton K. Baker, the Executive Vice President of the One Bet Plazza and the organiser of the Ghana Jazz and Heritage festival to Ghana as the Nkosohene (Development chief) of Okyeman with the stool name as Bafour Kofi Bediako.

Bafour Bediako later told newsmen that he was committed to support in the realisation of the Okyenhene's crusade against environmental degradation, HIV/AIDS awareness and education, adding that his organisation would offer 30 scholarships to students from the area annually.