A group known as the Coalition for Youth Development in Okyeman has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament , demanding an official apology and retraction from Tamale Central MP and Minister of Science and Technology, Murtala Muhammad, over alleged remarks branding Dr. J.B. Danquah as a “traitor” and a member of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The group, clad in red bands, marched to Parliament, submitting their petition to Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Djetror, insisting that the MP’s statement distorts historical facts and disrespects the legacy of Danquah, one of Ghana’s Big Six and a key figure in the country’s fight for independence.
The coalition argues that such remarks not only damage J.B. Danquah’s reputation but also fuel unnecessary political division, therefore, urging the Speaker to expunge the statement from the parliamentary record and compel the MP to issue a public apology.
“The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Muhammad, made false and denigrating remarks about Dr. J.B. Danquah. He contributed immensely to Ghana’s development, and we want the Speaker to ensure the MP retracts his statement and apologizes to the family and Ghanaians,” a spokesperson for the group stated.
Adding his voice to the protest, Yaw Adomako Baafi, a member of the Dankwa-Busia Tradition, condemned the MP’s comments, emphasizing that historical leaders should be honored, not disrespected.
“Our leaders deserve respect, not such unfortunate comments. J.B. Danquah was a man of conviction who fought for Ghana’s progress. He sacrificed for this country and was murdered. We should be celebrating his contributions, not tarnishing his legacy,” Yaw Adomako Baafi stated.
Receiving the petition, Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Djetror, assured the group that their concerns would be given due attention, noting “Parliament remains responsive to the needs and concerns of the public. In due course, the matter will be addressed,” he noted.
Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, a nationalist and intellectual, played a significant role in Ghana’s independence struggle as a strong advocate for a liberal democratic system, which set him at odds with Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP).
His political career was marked by tensions with the Nkrumah-led government, and he was arrested under the Preventive Detention Act in 1961 and 1964. He died in detention at Nsawam Prison in 1965.
While some historians and political groups hail him as a founding father of Ghana, others claim he collaborated with foreign powers, including the CIA, to undermine Nkrumah’s administration.
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