Long before Evelyn Abingde ever stood on a political platform or addressed a crowd at a rally, she was quietly absorbing the workings of politics through her late husband—a man deeply involved in the political life of their community.
“He was the one who introduced me to this world,” Evelyn said in a heartfelt conversation on Equal Voices. “He’d come home talking about community meetings, about how decisions were made, we watched interviews and discussions on TV. I started listening closely. Bit by bit, I got interested.”
For years, Evelyn remained in the background—supporting her husband and observing. But her journey took a dramatic turn when he passed away.
“Losing him was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced,” she said. “But it also woke something up in me. I wondered if that would be the end of politics in my household, so I started to pick up after him.”
That pivotal moment ignited her transformation from a political observer to a community leader. Evelyn became the Constituency Women’s Organiser for Bolgatanga East under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and is now contesting for the position of Upper East Regional Women’s Organiser.
Her motivation goes beyond climbing the political ladder—she wants to reshape the role of women in Ghanaian politics.
“Once you step into politics as a woman, people don’t talk about your work, they talk about your morals,” Evelyn said. “They’ll call you a prostitute. They’ll question your place. But I’ve learned to rise above the noise.”
“There are so few of us,” she said. “And that’s not because women aren’t capable, it’s because too many are scared off before they even begin. I want to be the reason another woman decides to step forward. I want to make space.”
Evelyn’s candid reflections spotlight the challenges of gender bias, public scrutiny, and moral policing that women in politics face in Ghana. Her story reflects not only courage and resilience but a determination to inspire systemic change and empower more women to step into political leadership roles.
NPP’s 2024 Election Setback in the Upper East Region and Ongoing Reorganization
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), which Evelyn represents, performed poorly in the 2024 General Elections across the Upper East Region, a known stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NPP failed to secure any parliamentary seats in the region, further underscoring the need for grassroots mobilization, leadership renewal, and strategic engagement with marginalized groups—including women and youth.
As part of a broader party reorganization agenda ahead of the 2028 elections, the NPP is undergoing a nationwide restructuring at the polling station, constituency, regional, and national levels. The process is expected to bring in new faces, energize local bases, and correct missteps that contributed to the party’s losses in 2024.
Evelyn Abingde’s ambition to contest for the Upper East Regional Women’s Organiser position comes at a critical time when the party seeks renewed trust and dynamic leadership in the north. Her campaign symbolizes the NPP’s opportunity to center women’s voices in shaping its future and restoring its presence in northern Ghana.
Championing Gender Equality in Ghanaian Politics
What started for Evelyn as a quiet curiosity has now evolved into a bold mission to break barriers and redefine women’s participation in governance. Her journey is not just personal—it’s deeply political. In a system where women are too often pushed aside, Evelyn Abingde is holding the door open for the next generation of women leaders.
Her campaign may just be one regional contest, but its implications reach far wider: a more inclusive, representative, and just political space in Ghana.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Keziah Porepeya Nsoh | Bolgatanga
