The moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has urged the family of the late Dr. J. B. Danquah to let go of any pains suffered as a result of the circumstances leading to his death.

Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Opare Kwakye said the family and friends should rather live the J. B. Danquah ideals in promoting freedom and justice for all and respect for the traditional institutions.

Preaching at the remembrance service held at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Kyebi, the pastor said it is time for total forgiveness.

He advised others to emulate the J. B. Danquah spirit of speaking truth to power without fear.

Many prominent personalities including President Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumiah; Majority leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Dan Kwaku Botwe, several ministers of state and MPs graced the occasion.

In his tribute, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori narrated that, the whole nation stood in grief and shock at the demise of Dr J. B. Danquah.

J B Danquah died in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison where he had been detained on the orders of the Kwame Nkrumah-led Convention Peoples Party (CPP), under horrendous circumstances.

He said "J.B. Danquah's contribution to the consolidation of Okyeman, Akan cultural heritage, the independence struggle of our country, the defence of democracy and the struggle against authoritarianism and arbitrariness has a unique place in the history of Ghana."

He said the impact J. B. Danquah made on the understanding and preservation of Akan culture, heritage and tradition can be seen in his cogitative rendition of a theoretic and scientific treatise of the customary institutions of the Akan people in his celebrated work published in London in 1928.

He added that, even in his death, J. B. Danquah was punished because the Nkrumah-led CPP government decreed that the burial was to be held within 12 hours.

His body was not to be publicly laid in state and there was to be no public mourning and crying.

"The District Commissioner received orders from Accra and a team of Officers and men from the Army and the Police were dispatched to Kyebi to ensure compliance.

"For 59 years, Dr Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah was denied a funeral rite, the most sacred of all rites of passage," the Okyehene said.

He added, "As time is the great healer of wounds, the functionaries of the Nkrumah-led CPP and their assigns can and should be forgiven."

Okyehene said there is a need to look to a brighter future guided by a vision of hope, tolerance and reverence for the opinions, lives and dignity of all persons irrespective of their political views.

Osagyefo described J. B. Danquah as the epitome and embodiment of the respect for human dignity, the culture and traditions of all peoples and the love for freedom of all men.

"May his vision and the challenges of his times guide us all towards this goal of preserving and entrenching the culture of peacefulness, respect for personal freedom, and political pluralism enjoyed by the people of Ghana," Okyehene said.