Political representatives from over 30 countries convened in Accra this week for the African Political Parties Summit, issuing a unified call for transformative inclusion in governance.
The three-day gathering, which opened Tuesday, focused on redefining political parties to drive regional integration and equitable development.
South Africa’s Special Envoy Jeff Radebe delivered a blistering critique of current leadership during his keynote address: “Citizens don’t eat manifestos or build futures on broken promises,” he stated.
“They’re tired of leaders preaching unity while sowing division, and policies that consume resources yet yield no change.” His remarks drew sustained applause from delegates grappling with democratic challenges across the continent.
The summit gained international backing when Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, President of Latin America’s COPPPAL alliance, endorsed Ghanaian President John Mahama’s initiative for political renewal.
“This marks Africa’s inflection point toward integration,” Cárdenas declared, urging concrete actions: “We must promote youth and women’s participation—governance modernization hinges on inclusive decision-making.”
Ghana’s Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang grounded the discussions in tangible outcomes: “Our people demand food security, decent jobs, and justice—not politics for its own sake,” she emphasized, challenging leaders to prioritize “the next generation over the next election.” Her call resonated as regional heavyweights witnessed ICAPP and COPPPAL signing a cooperation pact to strengthen democratic safeguards globally.
