Akua Donkor leaves behind a legacy of courage and determination

The news of Akua Donkor's passing has sent shockwaves throughout the country, leaving many to mourn the loss of a true trailblazer in the country's political landscape.

As the founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Akua Donkor dedicated her life to fighting for the rights and empowerment of ordinary people, advocating an improved society where state resources are available and distributed to all, not just a select few.

Born in February 1952, Akua Donkor's journey into politics was marked by her unwavering determination and passion for change although she did not have any formal education and couldn’t express herself in the English language.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including disqualification from previous elections, she remained resolute in her commitment to Ghana's progress.

Akua Donkor was personally present at an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in Accra two weeks ago, where she gained public attention for expressing her unhappiness with what she termed as derogatory comments about her qualifications as a presidential candidate for Election 2024.

She was particularly not happy with what she said was the continuous derogatory remarks about her qualification as a presidential candidate, considering that she was not educated in a classroom.

Akua Donkor founded the GFP in 2011 and got it registered in 2012. This made her the first woman to independently form a political party of national relevance in the Fourth Republic.

Aside from that, Akua Donkor was the first female in the Fourth Republic to put herself up as a presidential candidate before other women made such moves in the years that followed.

As a presidential candidate on the ticket of the GFP in the upcoming election, Akua Donkor's vision for Ghana was one of prosperity and equality.

She promised to provide free education from primary to secondary level, erase import taxes and establish a free zone at the Tema Port to attract businesses as well as buy vehicles for all practising journalists in the country.

She also wanted to change the maternity leave for women from its original three months to one year to provide enough time for the nursing mother to take proper care of herself.

Her campaign was built on the principles of judiciously utilising Ghana's resources, including gold, cocoa, shea butter and salt.

Before attempting to be president of Ghana, she contested to be elected as an Assembly member a number of times in her native Afigya  Kwabre in the Ashanti Region.

In 2004, she filed to contest as a Member of Parliament for Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region and competed with Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, a former Judicial Secretary and former Ashanti Regional Minister (now deceased).

After two unsuccessful elections in 2004 and 2008 as an MP, and determined to move her political career a notch higher, she moved up into the presidential race and formed the GFP in 2011.

Akua Donkor's legacy extends beyond her political aspirations. She was a symbol of hope and inspiration for countless women and girls across Ghana. Her courage to challenge the status quo and break down barriers paved the way for future generations of female leaders.

Over the years, she had expressed regret that some women went to jail for defaulting on a loan. She advocated that it was when they did not make good sales and did not earn enough that they were unable to repay the loans. Those women, she said, ended up in prison, leaving behind their husbands and children.

In view of this, Akua Donkor said she would make sure that women who had been jailed under those circumstances were released to return to their families if she was elected President in the December election. Unfortunately, she could not wait long enough to fulfil her wish.

“I will then give them loans and give them three years before they settle their loans. This way, they will be able to use the money efficiently and earn enough to be able to repay the loans,” she stated.

In remembrance of Akua Donkor, we honour her unwavering spirit, her commitment to Ghana's development, and her unshakeable belief in the potential of the Ghanaian people.

Her passing leaves a void in the political landscape, but her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

Rest in peace, Akua Donkor. Your legacy will never be forgotten.