The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has commiserated with the family of the late AkuaDonkor, a political leader, describing her passing as “a big loss to the nation”.

The Party, in a press statement, celebrated the flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party for defying the odds to brace the challenges of life, stating that her resilience and tenacity of purpose was worth noting.

“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,” the statement issued Wednesday, said.

Madam Donkor, born in February 1952, was reported dead on Monday, October 28. According to family sources, she passed on at the Ridge Hospital, Accra, after a short illness.

Until her death, she was the leader and presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) in the forthcoming 2024 General Election.

Despite her literacy handicaps, Madam Donkor, a cocoa farmer by profession, was not perturbed by her limitations, fighting consistently for her rights and the advancement of women’s development.

Her political career found strong footing, following her election as the Assemblywoman for Heman in the Ashanti Region, a step towards advancing her dream of being elected as the President of Ghana.

Madam Donkor made two unsuccessful attempts to contest the presidential elections in 2012 and 2016, as she was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) on both occasions.

In 2020, she was among the three women presidential candidates to be cleared to contest the presidential elections, and out of the 12 candidates who contested, she came fifth.

She was in line again to contest the 2024 presidential elections, having successfully filed her nomination. Her GFP is placed number three on the ballot paper.

Madam Donkor’s core campaign message focused on providing a comprehensive free educational policy, from the primary to secondary level, and a science-based educational system to build a vibrant human-resource base.

Her GFP campaigns to implement home-grown solutions to ensure that Ghana refines its own natural resources, including gold and oil, while empowering small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.

The GFP envisages to curb corruption in all its forms, promising to deal with corrupt government officials and those caught in bribery scandals, if given the mandate.

The ruling NPP eulogised the late Madam Donkor for her courage and service to mankind, and prayed for the “comfort of her soul as she rested in the bosom of the Lord Almighty”.

“We take solace in her legacy of fearless activism and dedication to matters of our dear country,” the Party stated.