Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed condolences to the family of the late Akua Donkor, a political icon, calling her passing a significant loss to the nation.
The party praised her for overcoming challenges and noted that her resilience and determination were commendable.
“The NPP is of the topmost belief that her life should serve as an inspiration to all Ghanaians, that regardless of gender, educational status, age, class and religion, we can all make meaningful and impactful contributions to the development of Mother Ghana,” a statement issued by the Party noted.
Madam Donkor, born in February 1952, was reported dead on Monday, October 28, 2024.
Family sources indicated that she passed away at Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
At the time of her death, she was the leader and presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) for the upcoming 2024 General Election.
Despite her literacy challenges, Madam Donkor, a cocoa farmer by profession, remained undeterred, consistently advocating for her rights and the advancement of women’s development.
Her political career gained momentum when she was elected as the Assemblywoman for Heman in the Ashanti Region, marking a significant step toward her aspiration of becoming the President of Ghana.
Madam Donkor made two unsuccessful attempts to contest the presidential elections in 2012 and 2016, both times being disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC).
In 2020, she was one of three women presidential candidates cleared to run, finishing fifth among the twelve candidates.
She was poised to contest the 2024 presidential elections, having successfully filed her nomination, with her GFP placed third on the ballot paper.
Her core campaign message centered on implementing a comprehensive free education policy from primary to secondary levels, along with a science-based educational system aimed at building a vibrant human resource base.
Additionally, her GFP planned to introduce home-grown solutions to ensure Ghana refines its own natural resources, including gold and oil, while empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive.
The GFP aims to tackle corruption in all its forms, promising to address issues involving corrupt government officials and those implicated in bribery scandals if entrusted with power.
The ruling NPP praised the late Madam Donkor for her courage and dedication to public service, offering prayers for her soul to find comfort in the embrace of the Lord Almighty.
“We take solace in her legacy of fearless activism and dedication to matters of our dear country,” the Party started.
