From Operating Rooms to Parliament Chambers: The Journey of Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah

Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah is the first female MP for Essikado-Ketan, Ghana, succeeding in both medicine and academia. With impressive qualifications and a commitment to public service, she transitioned into politics to foster development in Ghana, particularly for women and children, despite her royal lineage. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s journey reveals her resilience and dedication to making a difference in society.

Ghana’s Parliament is home to many notable women, constituting approximately 15 percent of its 275 members, which currently includes 40 female Members of Parliament. Among these distinguished women is Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, who holds the distinction of being the first female Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region.

Beyond her political achievements, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah is a highly successful medical and academic professional. This raises questions about her transition into politics, a field often perceived as fraught with corruption. She possesses a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin, a Bachelor’s from the University of Southern California, a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, a Doctorate in Surgery from Providence Hospital, and a Surgical Sub-Specialty from the University of California, San Diego. Her previous roles include serving as Country Director for Project Hope, Clinical Director at Sage Medical Centre, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s journey also has roots in royal heritage; she comes from the Royal Amagina Abratia Abusua of the Essikado Kojokrom Paramountcy. Despite her royal lineage, she remained committed to her dream of medical excellence and education. Her mother was the firstborn of a former queen mother of Essikado, a lineage that highlights a rich cultural background. In a documentary featuring her life, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah stated, “My mother was the little girl sitting in front of the palanquin with Nana Kwabena Nketia IV when he was being outdoored.”

Interestingly, her initial academic pursuits were not in the sciences. Instead, she studied humanities at Archbishop Porter’s Secondary School, having completed her Form 5 A-level education at Holy Child Secondary School. Following her national service in Ghana, she journeyed to the United States, where she unexpectedly discovered her passion for the sciences. Despite challenges such as adverse weather conditions and racism, she succeeded in completing extensive educational programs including four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, two years of master’s studies, and five years of surgical residency. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah characterized her surgical residency as “very, very difficult because it’s like you are being hammered for five years, and every step of the way, they increase the hammering.”

Upon returning to Ghana in 2013 after her educational pursuits abroad, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah dedicated herself to enhancing the welfare of women and children. Her leadership has now transitioned into Parliament where she represents the National Democratic Congress (NDC), utilizing her expertise in health to benefit the nation.

In conclusion, Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah exemplifies the intersection of remarkable academic achievement and dedicated public service. Her unique background, rooted in royal heritage, complements her substantial contributions to the fields of medicine and politics. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming an influential political figure underscores her commitment to improving the welfare of communities in Ghana, particularly among women and children.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com