Pratt: JB Danquah proposed the name ‘Ghana’ and so what?

Source: Daily Graphic Ghana  -  Veteran Journalist and social critic Kwesi Pratt Jnr. says he has, on behalf of all who believe in the ideals of Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and on Nkrumah’s own behalf, forgiven Dr. JB Danquah for all his crimes against Nkrumah and the nation.

He was retorting to Nana Akufo-Addo’s proclamation of forgiveness for Nkrumah for acts the latter is said to have committed against one of Ghana’s foremost politicians, including Danquah’s incarceration and ultimate death in prison.

Nana Addo proclaimed the forgiveness on Wednesday while he led a lecture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Danquah’s death, but Kwesi Pratt Jnr, who was speaking on Radio Gold, said Danquah rather deserved forgiveness.

“I think those of us who believe in the ideals of Nkrumah and believe that Nkrumah is the founder of Ghana and that he is the one who built the foundation of Africa today. An Africa that is free from colonial Europe and so on.

"We also want to extend forgiveness to the family of Danquah and to all those who associate with him for all the crimes that were committed against Nkrumah and Ghana, We recall the bombings that took place throughout this country. Some of this led to Nkrumah’s own death.

As I speak to you, there is a woman who lives in Dansoman called Asantewaa who continues to carry the scars and pain and sores of the bomb that exploded in Accra at the Accra sports stadium. There are so many Ghanaians who died as a result of the terrorism of the United Party and its supporters. There are so many Ghanaians who bear the scars of the ethnicity, the politics of reaction and the politics of collaboration with imperialism.

On behalf of Nkrumah and all those who believe in the ideals of Nkrumah we forgive those elements.” Mr Pratt said.