Widows should be allowed to Mourn, not campaign – NDC Communicator Dela Apetor

By: Bernard Mensah

February 9, 2026

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team in the Tema West Constituency, Dela Apetor, has raised concerns about what he describes as a growing practice in Ghana’s politics where widows of deceased Members of Parliament are encouraged to contest parliamentary seats shortly after the death of their spouses.

Speaking on Nkosuo Nsem on Plan B FM on Monday, February 9, 2026, Mr. Apetor argued that, traditionally, it is not appropriate for widows who are still in mourning to engage in active politics, including campaigning and shaking hands with delegates in an attempt to secure electoral victory.

According to him, the period following the death of a husband should be reserved for mourning and reflection, rather than political activity. He stressed that widows should be allowed the space and dignity to grieve, adding that rushing them into competitive political contests goes against long-held cultural values.

Mr. Apetor said the practice has become increasingly common in Ghana, where wives of departed MPs are seen as natural successors and are sometimes encouraged by party structures to step in and replace their late husbands. He cautioned that such a trend should not be normalized or promoted.

He made these comments while reacting to the recently concluded Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primaries, where Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, contested for the slot but lost to former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Baba Jamal.

While acknowledging Hajia Amina Adam’s right to participate in politics, Mr. Apetor maintained that the broader issue goes beyond individual ambition and touches on cultural sensitivity and internal party values. He insisted that political parties must reflect deeply on whether such arrangements truly serve the interests of the party and society at large.

In concluding his remarks, Mr. Apetor accused the government of what he described as misplaced priorities, alleging that the widow in question had been appointed to three state institution boards. He argued that such appointments are unfair at a time when many grassroots supporters, who worked tirelessly to help the party regain power, continue to struggle to secure employment.

According to him, these loyal party foot soldiers deserve better recognition and opportunities, rather than being sidelined in favour of a few individuals. He called on party leadership to be more considerate and equitable in the distribution of appointments, especially toward grassroots members who form the backbone of the party.