Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI) on March 7, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event brought together prominent political leaders from across Africa and was a prelude to the upcoming African Political Parties Summit scheduled for July 2025. In his keynote address, Mahama emphasized Ghana’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and the vision of a unified, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, led by its citizens. He commended the Africa Governance Centre for its dedication to fostering cross-party engagement, capacity-building, and cooperation in governance. According to him, the APPI’s objective is to create a non-partisan, collaborative platform for political parties to address critical issues such as economic challenges, climate change, political instability, and technological disruptions. Mahama urged African political parties to shift their focus beyond winning elections and embrace policies that promote national progress rather than division and misinformation. He stressed that effective governance requires dialogue and collective problem-solving rather than political polarization.
During the launch, the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Africa Governance Centre underscored the initiative’s role in strengthening Africa’s political landscape through collaboration and leadership development. He highlighted the multiple challenges Africa faces, including economic hardships, geopolitical instability, and youth and gender marginalization, stating that the APPI offers an opportunity for African nations to redefine governance and create solutions that encourage inclusive growth. Ms. Benedicta Lasi, Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Africa Governance Centre, elaborated on the initiative’s vision, emphasizing its focus on institutional development, policy advocacy, leadership training, and political reforms. She outlined key activities under the initiative, such as the Youth in Politics Forum, the Women Political Leadership Summit, the Political Leadership Academy, and the Political Parties Governance Index, which aim to empower emerging leaders and enhance democratic governance. These efforts, she noted, will enable African political parties to improve governance structures, embrace innovation, and foster trust among citizens.
The African Union’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, also addressed the gathering virtually, recognizing Africa’s progress in democratic governance. He cited the successful execution of elections in multiple African nations in 2024, reflecting an increase in political maturity and peaceful power transitions. He expressed confidence in the APPI’s potential to reinforce these democratic advancements and urged both African and international stakeholders to support the initiative. In her closing remarks, H.E. Edite Ten Jua, Executive Secretary of the upcoming African Political Parties Summit, emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation among African political parties to ensure the continent’s development. She encouraged broad participation in the July 2025 summit, which aims to bring together African and Caribbean political leaders to deliberate on governance, economic transformation, and regional cooperation. The Africa Governance Centre, the organization behind the APPI, reaffirmed its commitment to driving positive political change in Africa through research, advocacy, and governance reforrm.
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