…GFP urged to nominate new flagbearer within 10 days
The Electoral Commission (EC) has halted the printing of presidential ballots for Ghana’s upcoming elections, following the death of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) flagbearer, Madam Akua Donkor. The Commission, has given the GFP 10 days to nominate a replacement candidate.
In an official statement issued on October 29, the EC, extended its condolences to Donkor’s family and informed the GFP to “make arrangements to nominate a new candidate and inform the Commission accordingly.” With the December 7 general election approaching, the GFP must act swiftly to maintain its presence on the ballot.
In a statement issued yesterday October 29, the EC said, “The Commission has since informed the GFP to make arrangements to nominate a new Candidate and inform the Commission accordingly. In the meantime, the Commission has suspended the printing of Presidential Ballot Papers which was near completion.”
The Electoral Commission, extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Madam Akua Donkor, who passed away at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
Details surrounding her death, remain undisclosed.
Akua Donkor, was the founder and leader of the GFP and a prominent voice in Ghanaian politics, recognized for her unwavering advocacy for farmers’ and women’s rights.
Her passing marks a significant loss for the party and her supporters as the nation approaches the general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.
In light of the upcoming elections, the GFP, is expected to act swiftly in nominating a suitable candidate to replace Akua Donkor on the ballot.
GFP has announced its intention to formally inform the Electoral Commission about the passing of its 2024 Presidential Candidate, Akua Donkor.
In addition, the party will seek guidance from the Electoral Commission, on the necessary steps to replace the Presidential Candidate on the ballot ahead of the December 7 elections.
Party members are in mourning, with red bands displayed at their Ashanti Regional office and on the party’s official vehicle, following the news of Donkor’s demise.
George Bencha, the GFP’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Kwabre East Constituency, described Akua Donkor’s death, as a significant loss for the party.
He expressed hope that the EC, would provide clear directives on how to proceed in light of this tragic event.
“For now, we are counting on the EC to give us the directives because we are writing officially to it about this particular incident, so that they will give us the go-ahead, as to how we are going to get a replacement for the flagbearership.
A family source yesterday, confirmed that Akua Donkor, had passed on. She died on Monday night (October 28) at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, formerly known as Ridge Hospital, according to the family source.
She first reported at the Nsawam Government Hospital in the Eastern Region with respiratory issues.
She was referred to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) in Accra where she passed around 10pm on Monday.
Madam Akua Donkor, was personally present at an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in Accra last two weeks, 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 continuous derogatory remarks about her qualification as a presidential candidate, considering she was not educated in a school classroom.
Madam Akua Donkor, founded the GFP in 2011 and got it registered in 2012.
This was after she had served as an elected Assembly member for the Hemang Electoral Area in the Kwabre East District,
From Assembly Member, she moved to the constituency level and filed to contest as a Member of Parliament at Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region and competed with the late Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, a former Judicial Secretary and former Ashanti Regional Minister.
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.
She filed to contest the 2024 presidential elections on the ticket of the GFP and has been attending all IPAC meetings herself.
With her passing, her running mate in 2024 presidential election, Kwabena Agyeman Appiah Kubi known in the media as Roman Fada, is now expected to step into her shoes.
