One week funeral observance held for late Abuakwa North MP, J.B Dankwah Adu



One week funeral observance for the late MP for Abuakwa-North, J.B Dankwah-Adu has been held in Accra.  

This is a follow up to a similar ceremony at Tafo in the Eastern Region on Tuesday. 

The observance attracted a large number of people including the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah Arthur, Presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Akuffo Addo and his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Writing in a book of condolence opened for the late MP, Mr Amissah-Arthur paid his tribute: “This is one crime that is impossible to explain. The motive is lost to almost everybody. All we know is that it has terminated the life of a promising man. A career has been cut short. Ghana is the loser. We sympathise with the family and pray that they will be able to carry on. May J.B. Danquah rest in peace.”

A three-time failed presidential aspirant of the NPP, Mr John Alan K. Kyerematen, described the late MP as an enterprising entrepreneur.

“Looking at what J.B. did for his constituents, I think he is a good example of what young professionals can do to support the development of the country if they go into politics.

“One outstanding thing about him was that he was able to relate to everybody, in spite of their political allegiance. That is what we need in the politics of our country,” Mr Kyerematen said of the departed legislator.


Among National Democratic Congress MPs who graced the occasion were the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alfred Agbesi; the MP for Builsa North and the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Antwi Boasiako-Sekyere.

Among the mourners was the widow of the late MP, Mrs Ivy Danquah-Adu.

Flanked by two women who took turns to console her, she sat quietly, with her hands buried in her black cloth.

Tradition do not permit her to shake hands. Occasionally, she wiped her face with a white hankerchief or nodded to those around her.

Although the occasion was sorrowful, the event was full of colour and a display of Akyem culture.

A group of Kete dancers twisted and turned to the sound of the drums, occasionally drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.
Although Nana Akufo-Addo arrived to a rapturous welcome, it was the Okyeman Apagyahene, Nana Asante Bediatuo, who stole the show.

Nana Bediatuo, who arrived in the company of Barima Kwaku Duah, the Okyehenenananomhene, could not resist a few dance steps.
His body gestures and facial expression managed to elicit a nod and a smile from the widow, probably the only one for the day.

The arrival of Former President JA Kufour, and the embattled Chairman of the NPP, Mr Paul A. Afoko, also brought the event to a standstill.



GBC