By Adu Koranteng
The Danquah Institutes is celebrating the vision and foresight of J.B Danquah in Ghana’s Political and Economic life sixty years after Ghana’s attainment of Independence.
In the grand history of Ghana, JB Danquah stands as the catalyst for Ghana’s independence. Today, we can boldly identify ourselves as Ghanaians, rich in culture, due to his life and service.
JB Danquah led an exemplary life of absolute service to his motherland. In his pursuit, he advocated for patriotism, national service, and promotion of Ghanaian cultural values, an avid advocate for the Rule of Law, and a pioneer of African democracy. Certainly, JB Danquah’s bearing on our history, tradition, and politics is immeasurable.
In 1950, J.B. Danquah stated: “Our duty is to liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property-owning democracy in this land, with a right to life, and freedom and justice as the principles to which the government and laws of the land should be dedicated to in order specifically to enrich the lives, property, and liberty of each and every citizen.”
Today, Ghana is closer to what Danquah envisaged. A country committed to the pursuit of freedom, multiparty democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, individual liberty, and the principles of democratic accountability as the organizing principles of the state.
Some 73 years ago in Saltpond, Danquah pronounced his firm belief that the people of the Gold Coast had the right to be free from British rule and Imperialism. He stated: “We have come to take a decision whether our country and people are any longer to tolerate a system of government under which those who are in control of government are not under the control of those who are governed.” This declaration launched the independence struggle and remains today, the propellant of our contemporary efforts to build forward.
J.B. Danquah was a modest, law-abiding, peaceful citizen and above all, aspirational citizen. His passion was demonstrably for his country and continent, ahead of accolades or himself benefits. He believed it was better to die ten thousand deaths for what was right than bend the rules to achieve fame.
As we celebrate 63 years of independence this week, we need to internalize the extraordinary level of patriotism and devotion that motivated JB Danquah and the rest of the founding fathers to give their all for our benefit.
Therefore, we at the Danquah institute wish to promote selflessness, unflinching patriotism, sacrifice, and a firm commitment to our posterity, as values that will enable our generation to carry on the legacy willed to us.