By Isaac Yeboah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has been elected the inaugural Chair of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI), placing him at the head of a new continental platform for political parties.
He was nominated by an interim committee established by APPI and was unanimously approved by members of the Political Parties in Africa at the African Political Parties Summit 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, November 7, where the initiative’s inaugural leadership was constituted.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, who accepted the position on behalf of the inaugural leadership, expressed gratitude to the participating political parties for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work with other leaders to advance the initiative’s objectives.
He also acknowledged the Africa Governance Centre for establishing APPI and bringing political parties from across Africa together under a common platform.
In his acceptance address, the NDC Chairman said the initiative would focus on strengthening political parties as institutions capable of preparing leaders for effective governance and addressing Africa’s long-term development needs.
He said political parties must move beyond their traditional focus on winning elections and invest in the structures, expertise and policy knowledge required to govern.
“A political party is not merely an organisation for winning elections. It is one of the places in which future government is formed,” he said.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the proposed APPI Agenda 2040 would provide a common framework for participating parties to develop the institutional capacity and leadership needed to respond to the continent’s changing political and economic landscape.
He identified party schools, policy institutes, research institutions and systems for preserving institutional memory as important areas requiring attention.
He also called for greater participation of women and young people in policy development, resource allocation and decision-making within political parties.
The new APPI Chair said the initiative’s leadership would work with participating political parties, regional vice-chairs, the Africa Governance Centre and its secretariat to advance consultations on the Agenda 2040.
He further called for engagement with political institutions outside Africa, noting that the continent had valuable experience from its liberation struggles, democratic transitions, conflict resolution and constitutional development to contribute to global political discussions.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah said Africa’s growing population and strategic importance would not automatically translate into prosperity and influence without strong political institutions and effective leadership.
He said the responsibility of APPI was to help ensure that the next generation of African leaders inherited institutions capable of meeting the continent’s future challenges.
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