Stories and facts

Melody Millicent Danquah, born on January 6, 1937, was a pioneering Ghanaian pilot, renowned for her groundbreaking achievements in aviation. She emerged as Ghana's first female pilot and one of the earliest female aviators in Africa.

Raised in Larteh Akuapem, Ghana, Danquah received her education at local schools and Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, before graduating from the Government Secretarial School. In 1963, she was among the first three women selected for pilot training in the Ghana Air Force, where she excelled and made history by flying solo on June 22, 1964.

Despite her early retirement from flying in 1968, Danquah continued her service in administrative roles and later pursued a career in religious studies, becoming a preacher. Her contributions were honored with The Companion of the Order of the Volta in 2006, and she was celebrated as a role model for women during the 2017 International Women's Day.

Danquah's legacy endures through "Melody," a psychiatric facility at the University of Ghana Medical School, recognizing her resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Find out more about Melody Millicent Danquah below.