ACCRA, Ghana — Akua Donkor, founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), has died at age 72.
She passed away Monday night at Ridge Hospital in Accra, according to a family source who confirmed her death to Citi FM on Tuesday and monitored by Thriller News GH.
Donkor, a familiar face in Ghana’s political landscape, had been an outspoken advocate for grassroots communities, particularly farmers and women.
Known for her bold approach, she ran for the presidency multiple times, despite financial challenges, and was listed as the third candidate on the ballot for the upcoming Dec. 7 election.
Her passing, less than 40 days before the election, marks the end of a unique era in Ghanaian politics.
Donkor first pursued her presidential ambitions after serving as Assemblywoman for Herman and attempted her initial run for office in 2012 as an independent candidate.
Though disqualified by the Electoral Commission for not meeting eligibility requirements, she voiced her support for Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in that election.
She faced disqualification again in 2016 after a fire gutted the GFP’s headquarters in Kabu, Eastern Region.
Despite these setbacks, Donkor continued her advocacy, gaining recognition for her unwavering dedication to Ghana’s rural populations.
Her 2024 campaign pledged free vehicles for journalists, duty-free port services, free education, and better wages for farmers.
Recently, Donkor attended an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in Accra, where she publicly addressed what she saw as unfair criticism of her qualifications as a candidate. She attributed this to her lack of formal education.