Even JB Danquah’s wife divorced him and joined Kwame Nkrumah — Kwesi Pratt

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jr. has revealed the widespread support that Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, enjoyed, even among the close associates of his political opponents.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Breakfast Daily show on Wednesday, February 25, the veteran journalist noted that many people who were once allied with Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah switched loyalty to the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

He said this included Danquah’s own wife, Mabel Dove, s development, which he described as evidence the personal and political influence Nkrumah commanded.

“Many people who are related to Dankwa abandoned Dankwa to join Nkrumah, and I give you an example his own wife was called Mabel Dove, divorced Dankwa and joined the Convention People’s Party. Dankwa’s wife was a close associate of Nkrumah,” Kwesi Pratt said.

According to Pratt, Nkrumah’s popularity was evident even in electoral contests, where Danquah lost in constituencies considered his strongholds.

He pointed out that ministers in Nkrumah’s government included individuals from Danquah’s family, illustrating the deep pull of the CPP across political lines.

The veteran journalist also dismissed claims that Nkrumah made himself a life president, noting that the 1960 constitution imposed a five-year term limit for the presidency.

“Look, there’s nothing in the 1960 constitution which actually makes Nkrumah life president. In fact, the 1960 constitution imposed a five-year term on the presidency. They should stop. They should go read the Constitution again. Get their facts right,” he said.