The Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, has inaugurated the African Political Parties Summit 2025 in Accra, calling on political leaders to prioritize the well-being and interests of their citizens above partisan politics. 

In her keynote address, she underscored the imperative of politics being anchored in the delivery of essential services and tangible benefits to the people.

"When politics is devoid of wellbeing is meaningless," Prof. Agyemang emphasized, highlighting that citizens expect their leaders to focus on addressing pressing challenges such as access to clean water, reliable electricity, and job creation, rather than being consumed by the pursuit of electoral victories.

She also exhorted political parties to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, viewing each other as partners in development rather than adversaries. 

"Democracy must be adversarial in the market of ideas," she noted, stressing that the true litmus test of democracy lies in its ability to facilitate peaceful elections and promote collaboration among rival parties.

The summit's theme, "From Politics to Prosperity: Strengthening Inter-Party Collaboration for Africa's Development and Economic Transformation," highlights the critical need for African political parties to work in tandem towards a shared vision of promoting peace, development, and economic growth on the continent.

Echoing the Vice President's sentiments, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Fifi Kwetey, emphasized that effective leadership is not about obstructing others from holding power, but rather about supporting governments to deliver on their promises and improve the lives of citizens.

The summit provides a platform for African political leaders to engage in a constructive dialogue on pressing issues, including strategies for ensuring peaceful elections in fragile situations. Prof. Agyemang's assertion that "we will not agree on everything, but if we can agree on the fundamental that Africa's peace is non-negotiable, then we would have taken a best step forward" resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the imperative of prioritizing peace and stability on the continent.

Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan