National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has urged political parties across Africa to look beyond the pursuit of electoral victories and commit to building strong, lasting institutions that advance good governance.
Speaking at the 2025 African Political Parties Summit in Accra, Mr. Nketiah cautioned that the growing trend of chasing short-term electoral gains at the expense of effective governance is eroding public confidence and stalling Africa’s progress.
“When politics becomes transactional, institutions collapse. When leaders abandon the long-term view, the people’s trust disappears,” he stated.
He challenged parties across the continent to reimagine their role—not simply as “election-winning machines” but as engines of development and transformation.
“Political parties must evolve into enduring institutions that channel competition into constructive governance, provide the intellectual and policy frameworks for economic transformation, and embody the discipline, vision, and moral leadership necessary for national progress,” he emphasized.
The summit, which convened political leaders, policymakers, and scholars, underscored the importance of repositioning political parties as drivers of policy, innovation, and democratic accountability.
Mr. Nketiah’s message served as a reminder that while elections remain a cornerstone of democracy, the ultimate test of a political party lies in its ability to govern effectively and sustainably for the collective good of its people.
source: myjoyonline
