Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Victor Smith has said although it is against Ghanaian culture to speak ill of the death, the late J.B. Danquah-Adu, as MP for the Abuakwa North constituency, and his New Patriotic Party (NPP), did nothing for the people of that part of the Eastern region.

Mr Danquah-Adu was murdered on Tuesday 9 February at his home in Accra.

Mr Smith, who has declared his intention to run for the governing National Democratic Congress’ primary for the constituency following the resignation of the party’s elected nominee, Anthony Gyimah, told Accra 100.5FM Wednesday July 20 that the NPP and the late MP did nothing to improve the livelihood of the people.

“It is unfortunate that someone will take another person’s life, it is wrong even if the person is your enemy, you don’t take someone’s life to achieve any particular aim, it’s not proper”, he said in response to how he felt about JB’s murder, but was quick to add that: “…Regarding the constituency, although I believe that when someone dies, no evil is spoken against them, I am using NPP as a case, because he represented that party, what achievement did he bring to Abuakwa North? Nothing!” he stated.

“The people of Abuakwa North, too, deserve some respect. It is not about attending funerals and parting with GHS5 to the constituents to buy food and then you will not see him again for some time. We want sustainable progress for the people; we want to give them opportunities to also make life, to have family, to look after their families. A man will be ashamed for the rest of his life if he is unable to cater for his family and it doesn’t work like that for me, and I believe for my party. We must work hard to bring dignity and respect to everybody’s life, especially in our constituency”, Mr Smith added.

Mr Smith first contested the Abuakwa North seat in 2012 and was beaten by the late Danquah-Adu. NPP’s Gifty Twum Ampofo is the sitting MP after she won a by-election the NDC boycotted.