J.B. goes home today
Thousands of Ghanaians, including President John Dramani Mahama, yesterday bade farewell to the murdered Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, at a service at the forecourt of the State House yesterday.
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Many queued patiently to view his mortal remains which was laid in a casket before it began its solemn journey by hearse to his hometown, Akyem Old Tafo in the Eastern Region, for the burial service today.
President Mahama, visibly emotional in his black outfit, arrived at the funeral grounds at 9 a.m. and went to pay his last respects to the man who various tributes described as a “decent politician.”
The President stopped before the casket, bowed and walked away quietly.
Other dignitaries at the funeral included the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur; former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor; the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood; the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, and the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in this year’s presidential election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who read a tribute.
Many shed tears as they paid their last respects.
Murder
Mr Adu, 51, who was murdered in cold blood in his room on February 9, 2016, was full of energy and described by many as easygoing.
A 19-year-old man, Daniel Asiedu, alleged to have carried out the brutal murder, is in court.
Tributes
The government, in a tribute read by the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr Mahama Ayariga, said “J.B. paid his dues to his nation.”
“His politics was decent and he was admired by all,” he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo , in his eulogy, said the late MP was his trusted counsellor.
“He had a bright future, both as an entrepreneur and a politician. Our party and nation have lost a positive spirit, who had much to contribute to the future of our country,” he said.
Tears
A tearful daughter, Jayne-Elle Nana Boakye Danquah-Adu, had her voice breaking intermittently as she read a moving tribute.
“Papa, I don’t know which demon decided to end your life at a time when I needed you so much but how can I question God? I will continue to make you proud, I will continue to smile and laugh like you.
“I can’t promise you I’ll be a politician but I promise I will grow up to become a woman you would be very proud of,” she said.
Widow
Throughout the event, the widow, Ivy, sat quietly in front and when she was called to lay a wreath and stepped forward towards the corpse, she was seen weeping.
Her tribute, read on her behalf, described J.B. as a caring husband.
“Things will never be the same again for me, “she said.
Parliament
Parliamentarians were heavily present to say a final goodbye to their colleague who they said was “a distinguished statesman who was primarily concerned about nation building.”
“He would forever be remembered by Parliament and indeed the good people of Ghana as an agent of change and development, a purpose-driven industrialist, model legislator, an honest and friendly gentleman, a selfless politician who sought to demystify politics as a do-or-die affair,” the tribute said.
Preaching the sermon, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ayitey Mensah, Presbyterian Minister of the Accra Ridge Church, said those who died in the Lord would have everlasting life in the bosom of the Lord.
He said Mr Danquah-Adu performed the duties the Lord asked him to do on earth with all seriousness.
