Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong claims that the Danquah-Busia Tradition is a fictitious construct by certain factions in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to counteract Ashanti dominance in Ghanaian politics. He argues that historical events reveal Danquah’s limited involvement in key political movements and question the legitimacy of this tradition.
Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong has asserted that the concept of the Danquah-Busia Tradition does not exist within Ghana’s political narrative. He argues that this notion has been artificially constructed by certain factions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to diminish Ashanti political influence.
During a recent interview on Onua TV, Mr. Frimpong indicated that the Akyem faction of the NPP, which was not involved in the United Party (UP) or the National Liberation Movement (NLM), created the idea of the Danquah-Busia Tradition to establish their significance in politics.
He questioned the rationale behind why J.B. Danquah, who remained alive until 1965, was not chosen as the leader of the NLM during the secessionist movements that arose after the 1951 election. Instead, the Ashantis opted for Baffour Akoto, leading him to conclude that the Danquah-Busia Tradition is a fabricated narrative.
Frimpong emphasized that the absence of Danquah’s involvement in the NLM or UP undermines the existence of the Danquah-Busia Tradition. He noted that the Akyem Abuakwa royal house constructed this idea as a strategy to influence political dynamics in their favor.
He further explained that historical factors revealed that Ashanti leaders did not view Danquah as an ally, as his involvement in the UGCC was limited to the independence of coastal states. Consequently, when the Ashantis formed their political entities, they chose Busia over Danquah, who was qualified and educated at the time.
Frimpong concluded by stressing that the Danquah-Busia Tradition is a fallacy, designed to misrepresent the historical alliances and political strategies of the various factions in Ghana.
In summary, Yaw Anokye Frimpong asserts that the Danquah-Busia Tradition is a fabrication, created to serve specific political narratives within the NPP. He highlights the lack of support for J.B. Danquah from the Ashantis and emphasizes the historical context surrounding Ghana’s political factions. Ultimately, Frimpong’s insights challenge the accepted views of this tradition and provide a critical examination of its legitimacy.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
