# Eva Lokko

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**Eva Naa Merley Lokko** (died 6 October 2016) was a [Ghanaian](/source/Ghana) [civil servant](/source/Civil_service), [engineer](/source/Engineer) and politician. She was the first woman to be chosen as the vice-presidential candidate of the [Progressive People's Party](/source/Progressive_People's_Party_(Ghana)) (PPP).[1]

She partnered the [flagbearer](/source/Flagbearer) of the PPP, [Paa Kwesi Nduom](/source/Paa_Kwesi_Nduom) in the [2012 presidential and parliamentary elections](/source/2012_Ghanaian_general_election).[2][3] She was also the first female Director General of the [Ghana Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Ghana_Broadcasting_Corporation).[4]

## Early life and education

Lokko was from a [Ga-Adangbe](/source/Ga-Adangbe_people) ethnic group. Lokko attended [Wesley Girls' High School](/source/Wesley_Girls'_High_School) in [Cape Coast](/source/Cape_Coast),[5] where she was a student athlete and sports captain who competed and won trophies in hurdles, javelin 100-metres, relays and high jump.[6] She was an engineer by profession and held [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in Satellite Communications Engineering from the then [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union) (USSR)[6] and a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in Intelligent Management Systems, [System Analysis and Design](/source/System_Analysis_and_Design) from the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom).[1][2][6]

## Working life

Lokko was the first [satellite communications](/source/Satellite_communications) engineer and the first woman engineer to be employed at the [Ghana Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Ghana_Broadcasting_Corporation) (GBC) in 1972. She was part of the engineering team that installed and maintained Ghana's first colour television infrastructure in 1985.[7]

She worked in more than forty countries across the world in various capacities. She served as regional programmes coordinator of the [United Nations Development Programme](/source/United_Nations_Development_Programme) initiative for [Internet](/source/Internet) development in [Africa](/source/Africa). She also served with the [United Nations](/source/United_Nations) for thirteen years and as chair of the UN Federation of International Civil Servants Association and the United Nations Staff Council and as a member of the UNDP News Advisory Board.[5]

In 2002, she was appointed [Director-General](/source/Director-General) of the GBC, becoming the first and only woman to hold that position since the corporation was established in 1953.[7] She worked in that role until 2005 when she was replaced by Yaw Owusu Addo.[8][\[1\]](https://www.gbcghana.com/kitnes/data/2011/05/04/1.375456.txt)

Lokko was also the [chief executive officer](/source/Chief_executive_officer) of Totally Youth, a [non-governmental organization](/source/Non-governmental_organization) (NGO) based in [Accra](/source/Accra), Ghana.[1]

She was a member of the [Regent University College of Science and Technology](/source/Regent_University_College_of_Science_and_Technology) council, after her death the university immortalized her by instituting a scholarship scheme "*Eva Lokko Scholarship*" to be given out to brilliant but needy female student.[5][9]

## Political career

### Vice presidential bid

She was a member of the Progressive People's Party.[4][10] In the lead up to the [2012 Ghanaian presidential election](/source/2012_Ghanaian_general_election), she was chosen by the founder and flagbearer of the Progressive People's Party, [Paa Kwesi Nduom](/source/Paa_Kwesi_Nduom) as his running mate, making her the first woman to be selected as a vice presidential candidate for the party.[1][11] At the end of the elections the incumbent president, [John Dramani Mahama](/source/John_Mahama) of the [National Democratic Congress](/source/National_Democratic_Congress_(Ghana)) emerged winner with 5,574,761 votes whilst the PPP placed third with 64,362 votes.[12][13][14]

### Member of parliament bid

Ahead of the 2016 elections, Lokko had declared her intention to stand for the parliamentary elections for [Klottey Korley Constituency](/source/Klottey_Korle) on the ticket of the PPP.[15][16] Until her death she was billed to compete in a tough contest against [Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings](/source/Zanetor_Agyeman-Rawlings) of the [National Democratic Congress](/source/National_Democratic_Congress_(Ghana)) (NDC), daughter of [Jerry Rawlings](/source/Jerry_Rawlings), and Philip Addison of the [New Patriotic Party](/source/New_Patriotic_Party) (NPP).[9][16] The election was subsequently won by Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.[17]

## Religious life

Eva Lokko was a [Christian](/source/Christians) and a member of the [Methodist Church of Ghana](/source/Methodist_Church_of_Ghana). She was a member of the highest decision-making bodies of the church—Conference and Synod. She was also the chairperson of the Youth Advisory Board and served on other committees of the church in various capacities.[5][6] She also served as the church's National ICT consultant.

## Personal life

Lokko hailed from the [Greater Accra Region](/source/Greater_Accra_Region) of Ghana and was fluent in several local and international languages.[5] She spoke [Ga](/source/Ga_language), [Twi](/source/Twi), [English](/source/English_language), [Russian](/source/Russian_language) and [French](/source/French_language).[2] She was married to Nii K. Bentsi-Enchill and together they had two children.[9][18]

## Death and burial

She died on 6 October 2016 at the age of 64, in the [United States of America](/source/United_States), where she was receiving treatment after a short battle with ill-health.[19][9][20] She was buried on 18 November 2016 at the Osu cemetery after a memorial service was held at the forecourt of the [State House](/source/Parliament_House_of_Ghana).[6][9][18] The service was attended by notable politicians and civil servants including the flagbearer of PPP, Paa Kwesi Nduom and his running mate [Brigitte Dzogbenuku](/source/Brigitte_Dzogbenuku), [Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman](/source/Jane_Naana_Opoku-Agyemang) the then Minister of Education, [Stephen Adei](/source/Stephen_Adei) a former rector of the [GIMPA](/source/Ghana_Institute_of_Management_and_Public_Administration) and her contenders for the Klottey Korle constituency, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings of the NDC, daughter of former president Rawlings and Phillip Addison of the NPP.[9]

## References

1. ["PPP \[*sic*\] Eva Lokko; First Female Running Mate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120915090324/http://spyghana.com/ghana-general-news/headlines/ppp-choses-eva-lokko-first-female-running-mate). Spyghana. Archived from [the original](http://spyghana.com/ghana-general-news/headlines/ppp-choses-eva-lokko-first-female-running-mate) on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.

1. ["Profile Announcement for Eva Naa Merley Lokko, Vice Presidential Candidate for the Progressive People's Party"](http://www.modernghana.com/news/417092/1/profile-announcement-for-eva-naa-merley-lokko-vice.html). ModernGhana. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121010033613/http://www.modernghana.com/news/417092/1/profile-announcement-for-eva-naa-merley-lokko-vice.html) 10 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 September 2012.

1. ["PPP \[*sic*\] Eva Lokko; First Female Running Mate Go to article"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121008183710/http://sturvs.com.gh/30250/ppp-choses-eva-lokko-first-female-running-mate). Sturvs Ghana. Archived from [the original](http://sturvs.com.gh/30250/ppp-choses-eva-lokko-first-female-running-mate) on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.

1. ["PPP begins three-day mourning for Eva Lokko today"](https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ppp-marks-black-october.html). *Daily Graphic*. '***(20198): 17. October 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220330002719/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ppp-marks-black-october.html) 2022-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2018-03-24.***

1. Pascal (2016-10-07). ["Profile of Ms Eva Lokko"](https://newsghana.com.gh/profile-of-ms-eva-lokko/). *News Ghana*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161008162518/https://www.newsghana.com.gh/profile-of-ms-eva-lokko/) 2016-10-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["Eva Lokko goes home today"](https://www.myjoyonline.com/eva-lokko-goes-home-today/). *Myjoyonline.com*. 18 November 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112101109/https://www.myjoyonline.com/eva-lokko-goes-home-today/) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["New Boss for GBC....Previous One Fired!"](https://www.modernghana.com/news/25364/new-boss-for-gbcprevious-one-fired.html). *Modern Ghana*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220330002740/https://www.modernghana.com/news/25364/new-boss-for-gbcprevious-one-fired.html) 2022-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["GBC gets acting Director General"](https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/GBC-gets-acting-Director-General-93805). *GhanaWeb*. 7 November 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211225004838/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/GBC-gets-acting-Director-General-93805) 2021-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. Ofori, Solomon (2016-11-19). ["Eva Lokko Laid To Rest"](https://dailyguidenetwork.com/eva-lokko-laid-rest-today/). *DailyGuide Network*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112105915/https://dailyguidenetwork.com/eva-lokko-laid-rest-today/) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. Starfm (2016-10-06). ["PPP's Eva Lokko dead"](https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/PPP-s-Eva-Lokko-dead-475381). *GhanaWeb*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112020914/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/PPP-s-Eva-Lokko-dead-475381) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. Tornyi, Emmanuel (2020-07-07). ["Here are the female vice-presidential candidates in Ghana from 1996 to 2020"](https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/here-are-the-female-vice-presidential-candidates-in-ghana-from-1996-to-2020/08zzd19). *Pulse Ghana*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112091652/https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/here-are-the-female-vice-presidential-candidates-in-ghana-from-1996-to-2020/08zzd19) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["Ghana election: John Mahama declared winner"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20661599). *BBC News*. 2012-12-10. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201104230242/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20661599) 2020-11-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["If 8-month-old PPP placed 3rd in 2012, imagine 2016 results - Mrs Nduom - MyJoyOnline.com"](https://www.myjoyonline.com/if-8-month-old-ppp-placed-3rd-in-2012-imagine-2016-results-mrs-nduom/). *Myjoyonline*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112040337/https://www.myjoyonline.com/if-8-month-old-ppp-placed-3rd-in-2012-imagine-2016-results-mrs-nduom/) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["3 times Papa Kwesi Nduom run for president and failed"](https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/3-times-Papa-Kwesi-Nduom-run-for-president-and-failed-1024282). *GhanaWeb*. 2020-08-03. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210112101117/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/3-times-Papa-Kwesi-Nduom-run-for-president-and-failed-1024282) 2021-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["Nduom endorses Eva Lokko for Klottey Korle seat"](https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/nduom-endorses-eva-lokko-for-klottey-korle-seat.html). *[Daily Graphic](/source/Daily_Graphic_(Ghana))*. 15 March 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220330002713/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/nduom-endorses-eva-lokko-for-klottey-korle-seat.html) 2022-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["Klottey Korle PPP campaign team eulogises Eva Lokko"](https://ghanaguardian.com/klottey-korle-ppp-campaign-team-eulogises-eva-lokko). *The Ghana Guardian News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210303144549/https://ghanaguardian.com/klottey-korle-ppp-campaign-team-eulogises-eva-lokko) 2021-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. Kumsah, Clement Edward (2016-12-08). ["Korle Klottey: An NPP loss rather than an NDC win as Zanetor beats Addison & Nii Noi"](https://www.primenewsghana.com/politics/korle-klottey-it-s-an-npp-loss-rather-than-an-ndc-win-as-zanetor-beat-addison-nii-noi.html). *Prime News Ghana*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161210174424/http://www.primenewsghana.com/politics/korle-klottey-it-s-an-npp-loss-rather-than-an-ndc-win-as-zanetor-beat-addison-nii-noi.html) 2016-12-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. ["Grief-stricken husband of Eva Lokko breaks down midway through tribute"](https://www.primenewsghana.com/general-news/grief-stricken-husband-of-eva-lokko-breaks-down-midway-through-tribute.html). *Prime News Ghana*. 2016-11-18. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161121200744/http://www.primenewsghana.com/general-news/grief-stricken-husband-of-eva-lokko-breaks-down-midway-through-tribute.html) 2016-11-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.

1. Menz, Kelly (6 October 2016). ["Former GBC Director General Ms Eva Lokko has died"](https://www.newsghana.com.gh/former-gbc-director-general-ms-eva-lokko-has-died). *News Ghana*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161009140622/https://www.newsghana.com.gh/former-gbc-director-general-ms-eva-lokko-has-died/) 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 October 2016.

1. ["Eva Lokko has died"](http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2016/October-6th/eva-lokko-has-died.php). *Myjoyonline*. 6 October 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162431/http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2016/October-6th/eva-lokko-has-died.php) 24 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2018.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eva Lokko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Lokko) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Lokko?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.