Key Points
- Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah transitioned from a global medical career to Ghana’s Parliament.
- She overcame significant challenges to become an acclaimed surgeon.
- Her political career focuses on advancing health and welfare policies.
Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the first female Member of Parliament for Ghana’s Essikado-Ketan Constituency, has carved an inspiring path from medicine to politics. She is among the 40 female MPs, representing about 15 percent of Ghana’s 275-member Parliament.
Beyond politics, Ayensu-Danquah has achieved global recognition in medicine and academia. Her deep commitment to Ghana’s development motivated her to transition into politics, a field often viewed as fraught with challenges.
Academic excellence and royal heritage
Ayensu-Danquah holds 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.
In her professional career, she served as Country Director of Project Hope, Clinical Director of Sage Medical Centre, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah.
Despite her global success, her roots are deeply grounded in Ghanaian royalty. She is a member of the Royal Amagina Abratia Abusua of the Essikado Kojokrom Paramountcy.
Her mother and great-grandmother both held the title of queen mother in Essikado. Reflecting on her heritage in a documentary, Ayensu-Danquah shared, “My mother was the little girl sitting in front of the palanquin with Nana Kwabena Nketia IV when he was being outdoored.”
A transition from humanities to medicine
Ayensu-Danquah’s journey into medicine was not straightforward. Initially, she pursued humanities, studying History, English Literature, and Religious Studies at Holy Child Secondary School and Archbishop Porter’s Secondary School. However, her passion for science emerged after she traveled to the United States for further studies.
She overcame significant challenges, including harsh weather and racism, to excel academically. Her educational path included:
- Four years of undergraduate studies
- Four years of medical school
- Two years of master’s studies
- Five years of surgical residency
“It was extremely challenging because it’s like being hammered for five years, and with every step, the intensity increases,” she said, describing her surgical residency.
Today, Ayensu-Danquah is recognized as one of the world’s most accomplished medical practitioners.
Returning home to serve
In 2013, after years of success abroad, Ayensu-Danquah returned to Ghana. Her mission was to contribute to national development, with a focus on improving the welfare of women and children.
Her dedication to societal progress led her to contest and win a parliamentary seat under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In Parliament, her extensive medical expertise helps shape health policies that benefit the nation.
