Dankwa-Busia-Dombo tradition remains blueprint for Ghana's prosperity — Osahen Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the Dankwa-Dombo-Busia tradition as a living political philosophy that remains relevant to Ghana's development and democratic growth.

He said the principles of liberty, enterprise, individual freedom and constitutional governance espoused by the tradition continue to offer solutions to the country's contemporary challenges.

Osahen Afenyo-Markin made the remarks during the Young Commons Summit held at the New Great Hall of Kumasi Technical University on Saturday, June 20, where he delivered a lecture on the theme, "Honouring the Foundations, Building the Future: The Dankwa-Dombo-Busia Legacy as a Blueprint for Modern Prosperity."

"This legacy is not just a history to be honoured, but a blueprint to be used, that the principles Dankwa, Dombo and Busia bequeathed to us — liberty, enterprise, and the welfare of the individual — contain within them the very tools modern Ghana needs to build lasting prosperity," he said.

Addressing students and members of academia, the Minority Leader traced the origins of the political tradition from the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention in 1947 through the United Party and later the New Patriotic Party.

He said the tradition was founded on constitutionalism, the rule of law and the empowerment of individuals to build wealth and improve their lives through enterprise.

According to him, Dr. J.B. Danquah, Chief S.D. Dombo and Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia each played critical roles in shaping the philosophy that later evolved into the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition.

Osahen Afenyo-Markin also highlighted the sacrifices made by key figures of the tradition, particularly Dr. Danquah, who died in detention during the First Republic.

"It is right that on an occasion celebrating the young and the future, I say plainly that the foundations we now know today were not laid cheaply," he stated.

The Effutu lawmaker said the tradition survived periods of political persecution, military interventions and years in opposition before re-emerging with the formation of the New Patriotic Party in 1992.

He noted that the political philosophy of the tradition has remained consistent despite changes in governments and political circumstances.