She was born on 2 May 1968 in Apapam, Kyebi, to her parents, Chief Inspector Maxwell Donkor (Rtd.) and Obaapanin Yaa Manwu. Her father served in the Ghana Police Service and rose to the rank of Chief Inspector. He was transferred to Elmina, where Sister Yaa, as she was popularly called by her siblings and extended family, grew up. Madam Patience Donkor had her elementary education at Methodist Primary School in Elmina and continued her education through Form Four.
She was a brilliant student who loved to read. She was always willing to read during comprehension lessons and had a natural flair for language. Her confidence with words and her rich vocabulary stayed with her throughout her life. After Form Four, she decided to venture into trading.
Through her industrious and adventurous personality, Atta Maame caught the eye of a certain man called Kwadwo Atta Kakra.
She was young and bright, industrious and highly intelligent. But one thing about love is that it is an unconditional gift that considers no titles. The life of Patience Donkor is more than a novel. It is a story filled with love, passion and sacrifice. As a hardworking young lady raised in a good Christian home and a Presbyterian family, she desired to be loved by one man, and that man was none other than Kwadwo Atta Kakra.
Yaa’s story was shaped by love, resilience, humility, forgiveness, mercy and pain.
She moved into Kakra’s family home after giving birth to their firstborn, Henrietta Holdbrooke. She was hardworking and always willing to learn and be taught. She began helping her partner’s mother, the late Madam Elizabeth, who owned a chop bar.
She was young and beautiful and willing to do anything to please her partner. The daughter of Chief Inspector Maxwell Donkor (Rtd.) did not enter her marriage expecting special treatment because she was the daughter of a policeman. Rather, she saw herself as a humble young lady who needed to grow from a girl into a woman and a wife.
Submissiveness was one of her core values because, to her, obedience was faith and faith was obedience. She believed that if you wanted to know whether people had faith in you, you should first look at how they followed your guidance.
You know, sometimes you learn on the job. Much of the skill and craft she acquired in life came through working as an apprentice. She was willing to start somewhere, listen, learn and grow.
Her second childbirth brought the blessing of twins, Martina and Martin Holdbrooke, making them the fourth set of twins in the family of her mother in law, the late Madam Elizabeth. Their arrival earned her the affectionate name Atta Maame. Her children, Henrietta, Martina, Martin and Henry, became a great part of her life and the reason for many of her sacrifices.
Sister Yaa entered the bread business and began supplying bread to many people across Cape Coast North. Her handiwork was among the best, and it was no surprise that she was loved by her customers. It seemed she knew what worked, and through determination and consistency, she found her breakthrough.
She was a devoted Christian who never missed her Sunday morning services, regardless of the demands of her work. She gave freely and practised good financial management. She also taught her children her trade, allowing them to learn beside her and understand what it took to provide for a family.
Madam Patience Donkor, sometimes called Auntie Yaa by the pupils, sold at the Flowers Gay School canteen for over a decade. Her bread became a favourite for pupils between meals. She fed different year groups and will forever be remembered by many who passed through the school.
As her children grew, the talents she had nurtured began to show in different ways.
Henrietta Holdbrooke won accolades as a high jumper during her junior high school days, and her achievements did not stop there. She continued her senior high school education at Sammo Otoo, where she served as a prefect and distinguished herself as a capable student. She then attended OLA Training College and went on to become a teacher. She has now taught for over a decade, helping to raise, guide and mentor many students. The care she received at home became something she could pass on to the children entrusted to her.
Martina Holdbrooke grew into a highly motivated young woman, strong, talented and willing to take on responsibility. She participated in various school groups, beginning with the school choir. At Efuttu Senior High School, she served as a sports prefect, bringing her energy and determination into student leadership. She later pursued a degree at Archbishop Porters before transitioning into the insurance profession. She now works as an insurance broker, continuing to build on the foundation her mother had helped to lay.
Martin Holdbrooke, affectionately called Kweku Atta Kakra, was a gifted athlete whose abilities extended across basketball, volleyball, handball, high jump, long jump, shot put and other field events. At Cape Coast Technical Institute, he became part of the school’s golden generation of athletes, winning accolades and trophies. He also represented the Central Regional basketball team during the 2009 to 2010 sports festival in Kumasi, where the team won bronze. As a player for Cape Coast Hoops, he helped his team win major tournaments and brought pride to his family.
Henry Holdbrooke, also known in music as Kojoh Brooklyn, attended St Nicholas Anglican School for his basic and junior high education, then studied Visual Arts at the Academy of Christ the King. He pursued his tertiary education in Marketing at Cape Coast Technical University and the University of Cape Coast, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing at the latter.
He is a marketer working in finance, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a music minister, a music producer and a songwriter. He works as a marketing officer at one of the prominent financial institutions.
Henry earned accolades in basketball as a school captain and regional player, as well as recognition as best rapper during his secondary and tertiary education.
Her children grew up in the Pentecostal and Catholic churches, with a deep love for God that continues to guide their lives. Henrietta, Martina and Henry all attend Lighthouse Chapel International (Castle City Church), carrying forward the faith their mother nurtured in them.
For Sister Yaa, these achievements were part of the fruits of her labour. Behind the talents, the education and the opportunities were years of work, prayers and sacrifice. She had given what she could so that her children could become something.
In 2010, the family lost Martin at the age of 16. The passing of a son who had shown so much promise brought a pain that words could not easily explain. His life was short, but his achievements and the memories he left behind remain part of the family’s story.
In 2013, Patience Donkor was admitted to Cape Coast Teaching Hospital after a spinal injury left her paralysed. She was then transferred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for possible surgery. No surgery was performed, as the doctors felt her condition could be managed without it. With special medical care, she regained her strength and happily began looking for something to do through trading.
One thing about Sister Yaa was that she was not lazy. She liked to get things done and take responsibility. She was quiet and did not speak much. Rather, she acted on what she intended to achieve. Even after all she had been through, her desire to work and contribute had not left her.
In 2022, her heart began to fail. After more than 24 drainage procedures, Madam Patience Donkor had to battle the pain that came with these complications. It was a long and difficult journey, but she continued to hold on.
She lived to see her children do well, one of the most important things every mother desires. She saw them grow, take responsibility and use the gifts God had given them. We only wish she could have stayed longer to enjoy more of the fruits of her labour.
Madam Patience Donkor passed away on 20 August 2026, aged 58.
One thing she has left behind, which will always remain the mark of a true mother, is this lesson: “No matter your circumstances, you can still dream.” This is a message of encouragement to every young person trying to pursue greatness in harsh conditions.
She will forever be loved and cherished.
We remember her today because she was not just a mother. She was a woman with immense potential, intelligence and determination. A woman who could have achieved so much more, yet gave so much of herself to her family.
This was our mother. This was Sister Yaa. This was Atta Maame.
Read the Sweet Melodies FM feature on Henry’s music and sporting journey
